At the MCW Cancer Center, researchers are using precision oncology to better understand why cancers develop, how they respond to treatment, and why some become resistant. By studying tumors at the molecular level through genomics, epigenomics, and transcriptomics, investigators are uncovering the biological changes that drive cancer and identifying new opportunities for targeted therapies.

These discoveries are powered by advanced computational and bioinformatics approaches that integrate molecular data across thousands of tumors and patients. Through initiatives such as Our Patient Project, researchers combine molecular, clinical, and outcomes data to identify biomarkers, uncover patterns of treatment response, and accelerate discoveries that can improve cancer care.

This work extends beyond the laboratory. At Froedtert & MCW, molecular profiling is incorporated into the care of many patients through multidisciplinary molecular tumor boards, where oncologists, pathologists, geneticists, and researchers review each patient’s results to help guide treatment decisions.

For patients with uncommon or hard-to-treat cancers, the Rare Cancer and Precision Medicine Clinic provides another layer of expertise. Specialists integrate molecular findings with pathology, clinical history, and prior treatments to refine diagnoses, identify additional testing when appropriate, and uncover personalized treatment options that may not otherwise be considered.