Abstract 6879: Integrating omics-driven digital avatars with patient-derived experimental models to accelerate precision oncology.

Abstract Precision oncology increasingly depends on linking patient-specific molecular profiles to experimentally validated therapeutic response models. ValiRx and Inaphaea BioLabs are developing advanced patient-derived functional cancer models, while TwinEdge Bioscience is building large-scale Digital Avatar collections that mechanistically represent individual tumours across genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, regulatory-network dynamics, and drug-response modules. By combining these complementary capabilities, we established a closed-loop translational framework for predicting, testing, and refining precision-treatment strategies, integrating (i) omics profiling of ValiRx’s patient-derived cancer models, and (ii) construction of mechanistic Digital Avatars using TwinEdge’s modelling engine. Methods: Avatars are formed by integrating gene expression patterns, pathway activity states, inferred regulatory network, and compound-response modules. We generated digital avatars by integrating matched multi-omics datasets - transcriptomic, genomic, proteomic, and phenotypic layers - into large-scale, mechanistic network models that capture cell-state dynamics. Each individual avatar was then embedded within a population of thousands, allowing systematic comparison to identify subgroups that respond to a given intervention through shared mechanistic signatures. These mechanistically aligned avatars were then analysed to uncover repurposing opportunities and novel biomarker candidates. Results: Across breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer models, the Digital Avatars were shown to faithfully recapitulated tumour-specific regulatory features, including pathway activation, metabolic rewiring, and stress-response signatures. Avatar-based predictions revealed compound-specific vulnerabilities across multiple patient-derived models and uncovered previously uncharacterised mechanisms underlying differential responses to both targeted and broad spectrum agents. For certain models, observations pointed to the loss of regulation around VEGF-A, network rewiring around DNA/damage and some loss of c-Myc regulatory feedback. Together, these findings highlight the likelihood of a partial or full response, and allow suggestion of potential therapeutic intervention that would convert partial responders into full responders. Conclusion: The TwinEdge-ValiRx translational program demonstrates the power of integrating computational Digital Avatars with patient-derived functional models. This combined framework enhances mechanistic interpretability, improves drug response prediction, and accelerates preclinical decision making. These early results form a concrete proof-of-concept that Avatar based loop dynamics capture treatment specific regulatory rewiring and can guide downstream therapeutic evaluation. Citation Format: Bulak Arpat, Amel Bekkar, Michelle Barnard, Mark Eccleston, Ioannis Xenarios, Kevin Buyens, Michael Prosser. Integrating omics-driven digital avatars with patient-derived experimental models to accelerate precision oncology [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 6879.

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Journal
Cancer Research
Published
2026-04-03
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1158/1538-7445.am2026-6879
Primary Topic
Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
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article
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article

Abstract 6879: Integrating omics-driven digital avatars with patient-derived experimental models to accelerate precision oncology.

Mark Eccleston, Kevin Buyens, Ioannis Xénarios, Michelle Barnard et al.
Cancer Research
Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
article

Abstract 6879: Integrating omics-driven digital avatars with patient-derived experimental models to accelerate precision oncology.

Mark Eccleston, Kevin Buyens, Ioannis Xénarios, Michelle Barnard, Bulak Arpat, Amel Bekkar, Michael Prosser
article en

Abstract

Abstract Precision oncology increasingly depends on linking patient-specific molecular profiles to experimentally validated therapeutic response models. ValiRx and Inaphaea BioLabs are developing advanced patient-derived functional cancer models, while TwinEdge Bioscience is building large-scale Digital Avatar collections that mechanistically represent individual tumours across genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, regulatory-network dynamics, and drug-response modules. By combining these complementary capabilities, we established a closed-loop translational framework for predicting, testing, and refining precision-treatment strategies, integrating (i) omics profiling of ValiRx’s patient-derived cancer models, and (ii) construction of mechanistic Digital Avatars using TwinEdge’s modelling engine. Methods: Avatars are formed by integrating gene expression patterns, pathway activity states, inferred regulatory network, and compound-response modules. We generated digital avatars by integrating matched multi-omics datasets - transcriptomic, genomic, proteomic, and phenotypic layers - into large-scale, mechanistic network models that capture cell-state dynamics. Each individual avatar was then embedded within a population of thousands, allowing systematic comparison to identify subgroups that respond to a given intervention through shared mechanistic signatures. These mechanistically aligned avatars were then analysed to uncover repurposing opportunities and novel biomarker candidates. Results: Across breast, ovarian, and colorectal cancer models, the Digital Avatars were shown to faithfully recapitulated tumour-specific regulatory features, including pathway activation, metabolic rewiring, and stress-response signatures. Avatar-based predictions revealed compound-specific vulnerabilities across multiple patient-derived models and uncovered previously uncharacterised mechanisms underlying differential responses to both targeted and broad spectrum agents. For certain models, observations pointed to the loss of regulation around VEGF-A, network rewiring around DNA/damage and some loss of c-Myc regulatory feedback. Together, these findings highlight the likelihood of a partial or full response, and allow suggestion of potential therapeutic intervention that would convert partial responders into full responders. Conclusion: The TwinEdge-ValiRx translational program demonstrates the power of integrating computational Digital Avatars with patient-derived functional models. This combined framework enhances mechanistic interpretability, improves drug response prediction, and accelerates preclinical decision making. These early results form a concrete proof-of-concept that Avatar based loop dynamics capture treatment specific regulatory rewiring and can guide downstream therapeutic evaluation. Citation Format: Bulak Arpat, Amel Bekkar, Michelle Barnard, Mark Eccleston, Ioannis Xenarios, Kevin Buyens, Michael Prosser. Integrating omics-driven digital avatars with patient-derived experimental models to accelerate precision oncology [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 6879.

Cancer ResearchVol. 86(7_Supplement)
University of Nottingham (GB), Bioscience Research (US), New England Biolabs (United Kingdom) (GB)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
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