Immunotherapy has emerged as a transformative treatment for millions of cancer patients worldwide each year. Up to one-third of all cancer patients are now eligible for immunotherapy, gaining new treatment options and improved prospects for longer survival. The scientific consensus is clear: cancer immunotherapy represents a modern and innovative approach to combating the disease. Yet, for many patients, it has not consistently translated into extended survival.

A key challenge is that this heightened immune response can sometimes become overstimulated or misdirected, causing side effects. These immune reactions can impact any tissue or organ, resulting in complications ranging from mild discomfort to severe, potentially life-threatening conditions. In some cases, side effects are severe enough to require treatment cancellations or even withdrawal from clinical trials, limiting both patient benefit and the development of new therapies. Traditionally, efforts to enhance immunotherapy have focused on immune checkpoint proteins or optimizing drug properties, while systemic factors have remained largely unexplored. Among these, internal biological rhythms — our circadian clocks — are emerging as critical determinants of immune function, therapeutic efficacy, and side effects. Clinical evidence demonstrates that the timing of drug administration, whether early or late in the day, can profoundly influence treatment outcomes, depending on the circadian rhythm of the individual.

Biorhythmix is an early-stage project addressing this challenge by developing a computational approach that integrates circadian science with AI. The initiative aims to establish a new paradigm for immunotherapy: delivering the right treatment at the right time for every patient. The project is planning to incorporate patient immunotherapy data to train the algorithm and is actively seeking collaborations with research institutions, clinicians, and healthcare stakeholders to move these efforts forward.

The mission of Biorhythmix is to translate insights from circadian biology into actionable tools for oncology practice. While an early prototype is under development, the long-term vision is to provide digital support that refines and optimizes treatment schedules. For patients, this could eventually mean receiving therapies at the most effective time, improving outcomes, enhancing efficacy, and reducing side effects.

The projectteam brings a background in pathology and systems oncology, providing a solid foundation in cancer biology while developing expertise in integrating circadian principles into therapy. By aligning treatment with each patient’s internal clock, the project aspires to maximize benefits, minimize toxicity, and ultimately transform the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy.