The APAC Precision Oncology Conference 2025, held on November 1 in Hong Kong, coincided with Lung Cancer Awareness Month and underscored a critical message: artificial intelligence and multi-omics are now actively transforming cancer care across the Asia-Pacific region. Organized by the Hong Kong Precision Oncology Society, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hong Kong Integrated Oncology Centre, and the Artificial Intelligence Association of Hong Kong—along with support from Gene Solutions and the K-CONNECT Platform—the event convened more than 150 oncologists, molecular scientists, researchers, and AI experts. Thirteen distinguished faculty members contributed to a program that highlighted clinically validated tools already being deployed in real-world practice.
Why AI and Multi-omics Are Reshaping Cancer Care
Multi-omics combines multiple layers of biological information—such as DNA fragments, methylation changes, copy number alterations, and gene mutations—to provide an integrated view of tumor biology, using both tissue and blood-based sources. When analyzed with AI, these rich datasets enable faster interpretation and more accurate insights, supporting earlier diagnosis, individualized treatment planning, and more precise monitoring of disease activity.
Early Detection Innovations
A central theme of the opening session was the rapid evolution of Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) technologies. Presenters highlighted how large-scale multi-omics datasets and multimodal AI models are now capable of detecting circulating tumor DNA signals and determining their tissue of origin with high accuracy. Test platforms such as SPOT-MAS exemplify this progress, offering the ability to screen for dozens of cancer types with strong sensitivity and specificity through a single, cost-effective blood sample.
Academic researchers also showcased emerging biomarker classes, including non-canonical circular RNAs identified at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which demonstrate stable blood-based expression and may contribute an additional omics layer for early detection in the future.
Clinical Perspectives and Impact
Clinicians attending the meeting emphasized the practical benefits of MCED technologies in routine care. Tissue-of-origin insights provide clearer diagnostic direction, while improved affordability supports wider adoption across APAC health systems. Together, AI-driven analytics and multi-omics innovation are enabling earlier diagnoses, more personalized treatment decisions, and improved patient outcomes—advancing the region toward truly scalable precision oncology.
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