Investigation of Serial Studies to Predict Therapeutic Response with Imaging and Molecular Analysis, or I-SPY2, is a new method that uses a personalized approach to treat cancer.

The U. S Government has decided to collaborate with three companies and other non-profit groups to perform the study.

The study will be conducted over a course of 5 years and will involve an investment of $26 million. The study will use genetic or biological markers to determine the best drug for the patient. Methods that are futile or highly toxic will be eliminated.

Each patient will be matched to one of the five experimental drugs. Dr. Anna Barker, Deputy Director of the National Cancer Institute says, "They'll get the latest and greatest in terms of targeted drugs".

Patients are hopeful that this study may someday find a cure for cancer. Barker also opines that the study is futuristic in its approach. She believes that the alliance of the Government and the companies is integral in battling cancer, since neither would have been able to function alone.

Dr. Laura Esserman, breast cancer surgeon at the University of California San Francisco, has been roped into to lead the clinical trials.