IHU PRISM, a precision medicine institute (France), interview with Dr. Maud Kamal

22 April 2025 – Dr. Maud Kamal, introduced the IHU PRISM, the first National Centre for Precision Medicine in oncology in France launched in 2020 and labelled « Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire » (IHU) by the French Government as part of the France 2030 Plan.

In the frame of the ICPerMed Strategic Working Group on Internationalisation, Dr. Maud Kamal, Executive Director of the Institut Hospitalo Universitaire (IHU) PRISM, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, has presented the IHU PRISM, a precision medicine institute in France, created in 2020.

IHU PRISM is a precision medicine institute in France dedicated to advancing a multi-disciplinary, trans-tumoral program focused on understanding the biology of each patient’s cancer to reduce mortality. Its goal is to identify patients with the most aggressive cancers at the time of diagnosis, characterise the biological mechanisms of their disease, and provide tailored treatments from the outset through precise risk assessment.

Cancers are classified according to the organ in which the tumour appears. The different stages in the development of a cancer – initiation, promotion and progression – are governed by biological mechanisms. There is therefore a growing gap between this way of classifying cancers and advances in precision oncology, which uses molecular profiling of tumour and immune cells to guide therapies. The vision of IHU PRISM is that classifying cancers according to their molecular characteristics would speed up access to effective treatments for millions of people; it is also the 1st step towards precision oncology and a deeper biological understanding of how cancer works.

The ambition of the PRISM IHU is to develop a world-class center of excellence in precision oncology to deliver the vision of the scientific, medical and educational program. IHU PRISM’s various programmes will ensure the production of multidimensional portraits of the cancer and the host to guide personalised prevention and treatment.

How is the IHU PRISM supported/funded and how is sustainability ensured?

IHU PRISM has been awarded a €30 million grant from the French government and the French National Research Agency (ANR) as part of the FRANCE 2030 plan, a major national investment strategy aimed at fostering innovation and competitiveness. In addition to this core funding, IHU PRISM benefits from financial support provided by its founding partners, primarily allocated to staffing and operational costs. The structure also secures resources through external grants, revenue from services and products, and philanthropic contributions, ensuring a diversified and sustainable funding model.

How is the centre accessible internationally and can new groups join activities?

The translational research program at IHU PRISM is designed to embrace new biological concepts that can enhance the comprehensive characterisation of cancer. This adaptability to integrate emerging ideas is a hallmark of bottom-up organisations, which thrive on innovation and collaboration. By fostering such an open and dynamic environment, IHU PRISM not only stays at the forefront of cancer research but also attracts top scientific talent eager to contribute to ground breaking discoveries. Several young investigators were recruited the first year of the launch of the IHU and will be key to foster international collaborations. Additionally, IHU PRISM closely interacts with/is part of several European consortia focusing on genomics and precision oncology.

What are focus areas of the work of PRISM?

The IHU PRISM scientific programme is divided into 4 pillars:

• the study by translational research teams (from Inserm and Gustave-Roussy) of every component of cancer biology using sequencing techniques, in particular multi-omic single-cell sequencing;
• the integration into a multidimensional vision of the patient’s disease using biotechnological platforms (ex vivo modelling, multidimensional spatial analyses, circulating marker analysis platform) and applied mathematics developed by CentraleSupélec researchers;
• the transfer of previously developed tools to the patient, in order to assess their clinical utility in clinical trials;
• the co-creation of a nationwide implementation plan centered on the patient and the involvement of the various stakeholders.

How are patients involved in PRISM?

One of the key pillars of the scientific strategy is the active involvement of patients, ensuring a patient-centric and equitable implementation of precision medicine. This will be achieved through structured stakeholder engagement, with a particular emphasis on citizen participation including patients. Several co-creation programmes are being developed in the IHU PRISM with UNICANCER.

Patient representatives accompany the executive committee in the decision taking during the entire runtime of a study. A patient committee is set up and involved in e.g.

• the design of the clinical study, to design the study protocols,
• the development of the methodology for dissemination of results.

Website: https://prism.center/about-prism/