EXELIXIS is proud to contribute to a new peer-reviewed publication exploring how artificial intelligence can be introduced into cancer care in ways that are ethical, trustworthy, equitable and genuinely responsive to patients' needs.
The paper, Governing artificial intelligence in cancer care: Perspectives and recommendations from patient organizations and the MULTIR consortium, was published in the Journal of Cancer Policy. EXELIXIS CEO Dr Kalliopi Thanopoulou is among its co-authors, contributing to the review and development of the manuscript.
Putting patients at the centre of AI-enabled care
The study draws on semi-structured interviews with 18 patient advocates representing 16 organisations across Europe, including communities affected by melanoma, bladder cancer and lung cancer. Participants' findings were subsequently reviewed and strengthened through collaborative webinars.
The research identifies six priorities for the responsible adoption of AI in oncology:
- clear, accessible and transparent communication about AI;
- training and capacity building for healthcare professionals and patient organisations;
- evidence of tangible clinical and patient-level benefits;
- secure, robust and interoperable data infrastructures;
- strong ethical and regulatory frameworks; and
- sustained, meaningful patient involvement throughout the AI lifecycle.
AI should support, not replace, healthcare professionals. Its use in cancer care must be shaped by transparent evidence, patient choice, robust safeguards and meaningful patient participation.
Why this publication matters to EXELIXIS
EXELIXIS is a research management and communication consultancy, but our relationship with research goes beyond supporting it from the sidelines. Through our participation in collaborative European projects, our team also contributes directly to research, knowledge production and the translation of evidence into policy and practice.
Dr Thanopoulou's co-authorship of this paper reflects that commitment. It also reinforces a principle at the heart of our work: strong research management is most valuable when it remains closely connected to the scientific, societal and patient communities it serves.
About the research
The study was conducted within MULTIR, the EU-funded project Multi-Tumour Based Prediction and Manipulation of Immune Response, in which EXELIXIS is a partner. Although its findings arise from specific cancer communities, the authors conclude that the recommendations have broad relevance across oncology and for European policy on digital health, healthcare regulation and data governance.