From scalpel to algorithms

The microscope reveals cancer cells

Microscope (1850–1870) from the Golub collection of antique microscopes, on display at the University of California, Berkeley – Berkeley, California, United States

Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays. These would later make it possible to observe tumours beneath the skin

X-ray of Albert von Koelliker’s left hand (taken by Conrad Röntgen on 23 January 1896)

Surgery and radiotherapy: the tumour is either removed or treated with radiation

‘Standard’ chemotherapy: it targets rapidly dividing cells, but at the cost of severe side effects

First cantonal cancer registry: systematic collection of cases and patient data (Basel)
National cancer registry

Discovery of the first markers specific to certain cancers (e.g. AFP, HER2)

Discovery of the first oncogene: a mutation in the DNA of this gene can trigger cancer

It is the src gene, responsible for cancer in the Rous sarcoma virus (Stehelin et al., Nature, 1976)

Digitisation of medical data (clinical, biological and imaging)

Imatinib:^{the first} therapy to target a specific mutation (chronic myeloid leukaemia)

Publication of the human genome: > 700 cancer-related genes identified

Creation of the first cancer mutation databases (COSMIC in 2004, TCGA in 2005)

Starting immunotherapy: the immune system learns to attack tumour cells

Oncobench® and the Romandy Molecular Tumour Board: mutation-guided treatments

Artificial intelligence helps to analyse billions of data points to guide treatment

• "Digital twins": virtually testing treatments on a patient’s profile

• Predictive medicine combining genetic, environmental and clinical data to predict the onset of cancer