CancerLinQ LLC Collaborating With the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics

College will Give ASCO’s CancerLinQ® Platform Additional Expertise from Genetics and Genomics Field
For immediate release
January 23, 2018

CONTACT:

Kate Crawford
571-483-1366
Kate.Crawford@asco.org

Kathy Moran
301-238-4582
kmoran@acmg.net

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — CancerLinQ LLC and the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the medical specialty society for clinical and laboratory genetics professionals, have entered into a programmatic collaboration. CancerLinQ®, the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) health information technology platform designed by oncologists for oncologists to leverage the power of big data to help improve the quality of care for patients with cancer, will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of ACMG leadership and members.

“The field of medical genetics and genomic medicine is on the leading edge in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases, including cancer,” said CancerLinQ LLC Chief Executive Officer Kevin Fitzpatrick. “Having the benefit of working with leaders in this pioneering field offers great possibilities for CancerLinQ® as we work to enhance the quality and value of oncology care.”

ACMG is an interdisciplinary professional membership organization that represents the interests of the entire medical genetics team, including clinical geneticists, clinical laboratory geneticists, and genetic counselors. The organization is committed to developing and sustaining genetic and genomic initiatives in clinical and laboratory practice, education, and advocacy.

“Many ACMG members are integrally involved in assisting patients and their families in diagnosing hereditary cancer syndromes. We look forward to what we believe will be a mutually beneficial collaboration with CancerLinQ,” said ACMG President Dr. Louanne Hudgins, FACMG.

Peter J. Hulick, MD, MMSc, FACMG, Medical Director of the Center for Personalized Medicine and Center for Medical Genetics at NorthShore University HealthSystem and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, will serve as ACMG’s representative on the CancerLinQ Oncology Leadership Council, the strategic advisory body comprised of all official partner organizations that guides the growth and direction of CancerLinQ®. ACMG will have the ability to access CancerLinQ Discovery™ -- which provides access to curated sets of statistically de-identified clinical data from the CancerLinQ® platform -- for the association’s internal learning about and analysis of the current, real-world state of cancer care.

The collaboration with ACMG is one of many that CancerLinQ LLC, a wholly-owned nonprofit subsidiary of ASCO, has entered into with a coalition of partners and thought leaders, including government agencies, medical specialty societies, and life sciences companies. Since 2016, the American Academy of PAs, American Society of Radiation Oncology, Association for Molecular Pathology, Cancer Informatics for Cancer Centers, College of American Pathologists, DIA, Food and Drug Administration, Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association, National Cancer Institute, National Society of Genetic Counselors, Oncology Nursing Society, and Society of Gynecologic Oncology have joined forces with CancerLinQ LLC. Additionally, in November 2016, AstraZeneca became a founding enterprise partner with CancerLinQ Discovery™. These partnerships offer the CancerLinQ® team guidance and insights that ultimately can contribute to the quality and efficiency of the cancer care delivery system.

At present, more than 110 practices in 40 states and the District of Columbia, representing thousands of oncologists, have signed agreements to participate in CancerLinQ®.

CancerLinQ® and CancerLinQ Discovery™ are projects of CancerLinQ LLC. For more information on how to participate or partner with CancerLinQ, please visit CancerLinQ.org.

CancerLinQ® is supported in part through the Conquer Cancer Foundation, whose generous donors have helped make the system possible. Major supporters include Amgen; Astellas; AstraZeneca; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Cancer Treatment Centers of America®; Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation; Genentech BioOncology™; HELSINN; Janssen Oncology; Lilly; Raj Mantena, RPh; Novartis Oncology; Pfizer Oncology; Thomas G. Roberts, Jr., MD and Susan M. DaSilva; and Susan G. Komen®.

About ASCO: 

Founded in 1964, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO®) is committed to making a world of difference in cancer care. As the world’s leading organization of its kind, ASCO represents more than 40,000 oncology professionals who care for people living with cancer. Through research, education, and promotion of the highest-quality patient care, ASCO works to conquer cancer and create a world where cancer is prevented or cured, and every survivor is healthy. ASCO is supported by its affiliate organization, the Conquer Cancer Foundation. Learn more at www.ASCO.org, explore patient education resources at www.Cancer.Net, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

About CancerLinQ LLC
CancerLinQ LLC is a subsidiary of American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. established for the development and operation of the CancerLinQ® initiative. CancerLinQ® is a health information technology platform aimed at enhancing and improving the understanding and treatment of cancer. To learn more, visit www.cancerlinq.org.

About ACMG
Founded in 1991, ACMG is the only nationally recognized medical society dedicated to improving health through the clinical practice of medical genetics and genomics. The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (www.acmg.net) provides education, resources and a voice for more than 2100 biochemical, clinical, cytogenetic, medical and molecular geneticists, genetic counselors and other healthcare professionals, nearly 80% of whom are board-certified in the medical genetics specialties. The College's mission is to develop and sustain genetic initiatives in clinical and laboratory practice, education and advocacy. Three guiding pillars underpin ACMG's work: 1) Clinical and Laboratory Practice: Establish the paradigm of genomic medicine by issuing statements and evidence-based or expert clinical and laboratory practice guidelines and through descriptions of best practices for the delivery of genomic medicine. 2) Education: Provide education and tools for medical geneticists, other health professionals and the public and grow the genetics workforce. 3) Advocacy: Work with policymakers and payers to support the responsible application of genomics in medical practice. Genetics in Medicine, published monthly, is the official ACMG peer-reviewed journal. ACMG’s website offers a variety of resources including Policy Statements, Practice Guidelines, Educational Resources, and a Find a Geneticist tool. The educational and public health programs of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics are dependent upon charitable gifts from corporations, foundations, and individuals through the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine.