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Oncology

Innovative solutions to help navigate life-changing oncology decisions and elevate cancer care outcomes.


Illustration of healthcare professionals and patients standing beside diagnostic tools and technologies for oncology care

Driving diagnostic certainty for life-changing decisions in oncology

Committed to continuously improving oncology diagnostics

Cancer is the second biggest cause of death worldwide1, and its incidence is rising.2 As an experienced leader in oncology, Roche is at the forefront of the battle against cancer, bringing together expertise and investment to enhance cancer care and fund innovative research. Our extensive portfolio of diagnostic solutions across testing disciplines such as immunochemistry, molecular testing, sequencing, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and digital insights, ensures laboratories and healthcare professionals have the tools they need to give patients the care they deserve.3

As a sustainable and collaborative partner to the oncology community, we are committed to optimizing and future-proofing our partners' oncology capabilities so that they can continue the global fight against cancer.

The global burden of cancer is incalculable

In 2022 the number of cancer-related deaths reached almost 10 million4 and the incidence of cancer is rising.2 By 2040, it is predicted we will see 28.7 million new cancer cases globally, a rise of 44% from 2022.1 This will put further pressure on oncology services which are already suffering from staff shortages, increasing financial pressures and rising costs.5

As a result of rising numbers, the global economic cost of cancers between 2020 and 2050 is estimated to be $25.2 trillion in international dollars. This is equal to an annual tax of 0.55% on global gross domestic product.6 However, direct medical costs only tell part of the story. The life-altering impact of cancer extends beyond the individual, affecting immediate and extended family, friends, colleagues, employers and others.

A complex diagnostic landscape

Our understanding of cancer has increased dramatically and continues to evolve. Recent years have seen notable progress in the ability to manage the disease and diagnostics play a critical role, however as the incidence of cancer grows and more testing is required, healthcare providers face pressure to adapt and evolve.3

Conventional diagnostic techniques such as in situ hybridization (ISH), fluorescent ISH (FISH), and single-gene testing require biomarkers to be pre-specified in some cases in order to be tested. With the number of relevant biomarkers increasing year to year, healthcare providers are unable to test for them all and are therefore facing an incomplete picture when diagnosing.7 Added to this, the growing amount of data points available to healthcare professionals makes it increasingly complex to make reliable clinical decisions. For example, in Europe in 2019 more than 12,000 clinical trials were initiated.8,9

We have also seen substantial changes in the way patients with cancer are managed, from a “one-size-fits-all” approach to increasing focus on precision medicine which brings additional complexity to healthcare professionals and disparities in access.7 A study from 2022 on the access and quality of biomarker testing for precision oncology in Europe showed that there are high variations regarding the implementation of precision oncology, based on factors such as limited awareness, a lack of diagnostic laboratory infrastructure, inefficient organization, and/or insufficient public reimbursement.10

A lack of access to affordable, high-quality diagnosis and treatment and resulting late- stage diagnosis, means that the greatest increases in cancer-related mortality will be in low- and middle-income countries.11 For example, in breast cancer an early diagnosis significantly improves survival rates, and the stage at diagnosis varies widely across different countries and regions. Late-stage diagnosis occurs in around 6% of United States women compared with 75% of sub-Saharan African women, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis strategies.12

Helping to improve access to timely, accurate screening and diagnosis for people all over the world, especially in resource-limited regions, is more important than ever. That’s why we are working closely with governments and policy makers, to improve access and ensure Roche creates long-term impact not only for patients, but society as a whole.13

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A broad range of different biomarkers and diagnostic solutions to uncover the holistic image of the lung cancer patient.

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Benefits of Roche diagnostic solutions for managing oncology

An experienced provider and innovator in the field of in vitro diagnostics

At Roche, we relentlessly work to push the standards of excellence higher. We bring together expertise and investment to solve problems in oncology and fund innovative research:

  • Trusted diagnostic solutions: Over 29 billion tests completed in 2023 to aid healthcare providers to improve patient care13
  • Innovative approach: Our vision is integrated digital diagnostics and disease management solutions for complete patient profiles, confident decision-making, and efficiencies. In 2023 alone, we introduced 6 new platforms, 21 tests, and 7 digital solutions.13 We are accelerating the power of digital insights through our navify® digital solutions portfolio.14
  • Investing for the future: Our research portfolio plays a pivotal role in the pursuit of groundbreaking discoveries in the field of cancer diagnostics. More than 200 early phase biomarker projects continue to feed a rich companion diagnostic pipeline of predictive diagnostics and other high medical value assays.15

Enabling clinicians to make decisions that lead to better patient outcomes

Oncology diagnostic solutions can be complex, fragmented, and inconsistent. Roche provides a breadth of solutions across testing disciplines - immunochemistry, molecular testing, sequencing, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and digital insights - to support healthcare professionals to make life-changing decisions.3 Oncology teams need diagnostic certainty. Our aim is to simplify and optimize processes to enable the best possible care decisions for every patient by:

  • Empowering pathologists: We offer seven Roche-developed image analysis algorithms and partner with 3rd party algorithm developers to enable pathologists to confidently, accurately, and objectively assess whole tissue slide images16
  • Increasing access to targeted treatment: In line with relevant medical guidelines, ensuring samples are used in the most impactful way and providing diagnostic options for different patient needs: sample type, cost vs TAT, or less invasive options3
  • Generating insights: We provide clinical decision support (e.g. navify® Clinical Hub) to create and connect results and provide stakeholders with solutions to facilitate collaboration and coordination along the patient pathway

A sustainable partnership for support and consultancy

At Roche we are focused on helping our partners improve labs and lives through flexible, sustainable solutions and close collaboration with the global oncology community through:

  • Ongoing partnerships: We have more than 85 ongoing collaborations with 95+ pharma partners17 to develop companion diagnostics that advance personalized treatment. Additionally, we work with vendors to foster the development of new diagnostics solutions, with digital solutions playing an increasing role.
  • Healthcare consultancy: Our healthcare consultants collaborate to implement enhanced diagnostics in partner organizations and ensure standardization and compliance with medical support. Our goal is to help partners optimize performance, add value, and adapt to evolving health policies, ultimately enhancing patient care and business outcomes.
  • Expanding access: In 2014, recognizing that diagnostics is an integral component of functioning health systems, Roche launched the Global Access Program to enable access to reliable testing solutions for patients in low- and low-middle-income countries.18 We work with governments and policymakers, to improve access and ensure Roche creates long-term impact not only for patients, but society as a whole.13

Contact us

Do you have questions about our products or services? We’re here to help. Contact a Roche representative in your region.

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References:

  1. Our World in Data (2023) Available from https://ourworldindata.org/causes-of-death [Accessed May 2024]
  2. Ferlay J et al (2024) Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Tomorrow. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from https://gco.iarc.fr/tomorrow [Accessed May 2024]
  3. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Diagnostics in oncology. Available from https://www.roche.com/solutions/focus-areas/oncology/diagnostics-in-oncology [Accessed May 2024]
  4. Ferlay J, et al. (2024) Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today International Agency for Research on Cancer. Available from https://gco.iarc.who.int/today.[Accessed May 2024]
  5. O’Riley E. Survey: Personnel Shortages Cited Above Financial Challenges by CEOs as Top Issue Confronting Hospitals in 2021. American College of Healthcare Executives 2022. Available from https://www.ache.org/learning-center/research/about-the-field/top-issues-confronting-hospitals/top-issues-confronting-hospitals-in-2021 [Accessed May 2024]
  6. Chen S, et al. (2023). JAMA Oncol. ;9(4):465–472. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2801798 [Accessed May 2024]
  7. Malone et al. (2020) ‘Molecular profiling for precision cancer therapies’ Genome Med. 12: 8. Available from https://genomemedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13073-019-0703-1 [Accessed May 2024]
  8. Densen P. (2011) Challenges and opportunities facing medical education. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 122:48-58. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3116346/ [Accessed May 2024]
  9. Golda N. et al. (2019) ‘Setting our sights on the right target: how addressing physician burnout may be a solution for improved patient experience’. ClinDermatol. 37(6):685-688. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31864449/ [Accessed May 2024]
  10. Normanno et al. (2022) ‘Access and quality of biomarker testing for precision oncology in Europe’ European Journal of Cancer, 176, 70-77. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36194905/ [Accessed May 2024]
  11. Sung H et al. (2021) Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 71,209–24 Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33538338/ [Accessed May 2024]
  12. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Ensuring early and accurate diagnosis to improve access to healthcare. Available from https://www.roche.com/about/strategy/access-to-healthcare/diagnosis [Accessed May 2024]
  13. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Annual Report 2023.Available from: https://www.roche.com/investors/annualreport23 [Accessed May 2024]
  14. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Navify® Portal. Available from https://diagnostics.roche.com/gb/en/services/dialog.html [Accessed May 2024]
  15. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Forecasting the future of cancer diagnostics 2023 Available fromhttps://diagnostics.roche.com/us/en/article-listing/forecasting-future-roche-cancer-diagnostics-2023.html [Accessed May 2024]
  16. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Digital pathology image analysis algorithms. Available from: https://diagnostics.roche.com/global/en/article-listing/digital-pathology-image-analysis-algorithms.html [Accessed May 2024]
  17. Roche Diagnostics Ltd. Data on file. MC—06186
  18. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Global Access Program. Available from: https://diagnostics.roche.com/global/en/article-listing/global-access-program.html [Accessed May 2024]