Tempus AI Validates PurIST® Algorithm for Improved Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM), a leader in AI-driven precision medicine, has announced the publication of a pivotal study in JCO Precision Oncology validating the clinical utility of its PurIST® algorithm. This RNA-based diagnostic tool represents a significant advancement in therapy selection for patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the deadliest cancers with a five-year survival rate of just 12%.

The study, the largest real-world analysis of its kind, highlights PurIST’s ability to guide first-line chemotherapy decisions and improve patient outcomes. Pancreatic cancer treatment has long been hindered by the lack of robust biomarkers to inform therapy selection between the two most common regimens: FOLFIRINOX (FFX) and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP). To address this challenge, Tempus collaborated with GeneCentric to develop PurIST, a clinically validated algorithm that classifies PDAC tumors into “classical” or “basal” subtypes.

Using Tempus’ xR RNA sequencing platform, the study analyzed a cohort of 931 patients with advanced PDAC. Patients were treated with either FFX or GnP, and outcomes were assessed based on PurIST classification. The findings establish PurIST as both a prognostic and predictive biomarker, enabling clinicians to personalize treatment and improve survival rates.

Key findings include:

• Prognostic Value: Among patients treated with FFX (N=536), those with the classical subtype had a median overall survival (OS) of 11.8 months, compared to 7.0 months for basal subtype patients.
• Predictive Value: Classical subtype patients with good performance status (ECOG 0 or 1, N=311) experienced a 33% reduction in death risk with FFX compared to GnP. No similar benefit was observed for basal subtype patients.

“Pancreatic cancer is a challenging disease, and the ability to match patients to the most effective first-line therapy is critical,” said Dr. Ezra Cohen, Chief Medical Officer, Oncology at Tempus. “Our study demonstrates that PurIST subtyping enables a biomarker-driven approach to therapy selection, addressing a major unmet need in the management of pancreatic cancer.”

Michael Milburn, PhD, President and CEO of GeneCentric, added, “PurIST is a step forward for pancreatic cancer molecular testing, giving healthcare providers a new tool to better inform personalized treatment options for this devastating disease.”

Tempus continues to lead the way in precision medicine, leveraging its vast multimodal data library and AI capabilities to improve patient care. For more information, visit tempus.com.