Cristian Massacesi: Improving global healthcare goes beyond expanding treatment access

Cristian Massacesi, Chief Medical Officer and Oncology Chief Development Officer, shared Slavé Petrovski’s, Professor at University of Melbourne post on LinkedIn:

“Improving global healthcare goes beyond expanding treatment access: we must also continuously improve our most fundamental research practices. Through collaborative efforts spanning global communities, our R and D teams at AstraZeneca work to ensure that our genomics research reflects the richness of global populations, to better unlock the potential of genetics to innovate drug discovery. Learn more about this from Slavé Petrovski below.”

Quoting Slavé Petrovski‘s post on LinkedIn:

“Thrilled to share the latest research from the AstraZeneca Centre for Genomics Research that reveals the scientific imperative of global representation in genomics research. Learn more in my latest blog about how we are using these insights to ensure our science is designed and able to benefit a broad range of people.

Global insights driving genomic discoveries

Improving global healthcare goes beyond expanding treatment access; we must also continuously improve our most fundamental research practices. This includes genomics research and our efforts to ensure our datasets reflect global populations, so our science is designed and able to benefit a broad range of people. At AstraZeneca, we understand that these data are a scientific imperative and crucial for research success, and we’re committed to achieving this goal.

Why It Matters

Studies consistently show that including diverse ancestries in genetic research enhances our power and confidence to identify clinically relevant genetic variants with greater accuracy. For example, our newest study in Nature Communications revealed that smaller datasets from globally representative communities provided better and more accurate insights into disease-associated regions of the genome compared to even much larger datasets from solely European ancestry. To provide the greatest insights, we found that the variety of data used to detect patterns is more important than just sheer volume.

Our recent study on clonal haematopoiesis (CH), published in Nature Genetics, challenges long-held assumptions based on European-focused research. CH, a condition where blood cells acquire mutations with age and increases the risk of blood cancers and cardiovascular diseases, was analysed using data from 136,000 participants recruited to the Mexico City Prospective Study.

We found CH rates to be significantly less common in this Latin American population and even identified ancestry-specific genetic variants linked to its development. These findings could reshape risk assessment and screening for CH, making them more inclusive and accurate for various populations.

A New Standard for Genomic Research

Guided by the belief that therapeutic strategies should be informed by data reflecting patient communities, we are committed to ensuring representation in our genomic research. Through collaborative efforts spanning the globe, we’re ensuring that our research reflects the richness of global populations, to better unlock the potential of genetics to innovate drug discovery. From uncovering novel drug targets and biomarkers to tailoring treatments and informing diagnostics, the benefits have potential to be immediate and far-reaching.

The Path Ahead

Rebalancing the data fuelling our genomics research requires sustained collaboration and commitment. At AstraZeneca, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this effort. But the work doesn’t stop here. We invite healthcare professionals, scientists, and thought leaders to join us as we work to ensure our scientific research reflects the global communities we serve. By joining together, we can ensure that the medicines of tomorrow carry the greatest patient benefits.”