In 1998, I was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma and given months to live. I consulted more than a dozen leading oncologists and got conflicting recommendations. No one could tell me: ‘Which treatment is best for me?’

A clinical trial saved my life—despite itself being unsuccessful—only raising more questions. Why did this therapy work for me but not for others? Could my experience help similar patients? It was life-saving knowledge I wanted to share with all cancer patients.

Welcome to Cancer Commons.

Marty Tenenbaum, PhD Founder of Cancer Commons

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Our Services

We provide patients and their care teams with the actionable information and data they need to make informed decisions. We help identify and access individualized regimen of therapies that specifically target the molecular drivers of their disease and refer patients to a myriad of precision oncology services to help them navigate the cancer maze and minimize trial and error.

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Always Learning

What makes Cancer Commons unique is our continuous learning health system.

As we help patients identify and access novel tests, treatments, and trials, we learn continuously from every patient's experience—and share that knowledge with the world.

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Support Us

We've been helping cancer patients for more than a decade—and our services are free, supported by generous donations/philanthropy.

Please help us continue our work serving patients and changing the field of oncology with tax-deductible donation in any amount, and learn about other ways to support our mission.

Support Us

Since our founding in 2011, we have delivered personalized, evidence-based guidance at no charge to more than 10,000 patients and caregivers, supported entirely by philanthropy.

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  • Words cannot describe enough the help, guidance, services, and advice I received from Cancer Commons—whether from online resources, the constant support provided by the dedicated scientist Dr. Matt Warner, or the selfless recommendations from a tumour board, so that at least I know what other experts are thinking and where treatment could be headed potentially, and plan course of action accordingly.

    Viji
    Wife of a glioblastoma patient

  • The personalized “second opinion” did wonders to reassure that I was on the right path to manage my disease. The process was transparent and remarkably easy. My personal thanks to Lola for the constant feedback and communication.

    Dave
    Patient with metastatic neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas

  • Cancer Commons is the absolute best for helping when diagnosed with cancer. They help you understand your cancer and all the treatment options, including clinical trials. I have relied on them for many friends, and don’t know what I would do without them.

    Reggie
    Friend of a metastatic ovarian cancer patient, and many others

  • Absolutely wonderful!! Matt is a wealth of knowledge and so prompt at getting back to emails and reporting findings or results. It really is incredible to have this resource free of charge as a second opinion, and gives me comfort knowing what we are doing is the best we can do for now, leaving no stone unturned. We appreciate Cancer Commons so very much!!

    Jessica
    Daughter of a grade IV glioblastoma patient

  • The best part of cancer commons is timely access to a tumor board. It gives reassurance to the patient and family that the current treatment approach is correct and that other options are available.

    Caregiver of a cancer patient

Cancer Commons is staffed by accomplished researchers with PhDs in the molecular biology and pharmacology of cancer and in Artificial Intelligence. They have joined the Commons to apply their knowledge and expertise to help patients research their options in real time using the latest tools of precision oncology.

Meet the Team
  • Curious Dr. George Logo and Cancer Commons Logo with photo of Cancer Commons Director of Technology Michael Kramer with his late son, Theo.
    NEW Curious Dr. George—Raising AI Right: Prioritizing Humanity in Precision Medicine

    April 8, 2025

    Here’s the latest from our Curious Dr. George! Read “Raising AI Right: Prioritizing Humanity in Precision Medicine” here. Artificial intelligence (AI) holds promise to transform cancer research and treatment. Here, Curious Dr. George asks our very own Director of Technology, Michael Kramer, about the powerful role Cancer Commons can play in shaping the future of AI in oncology. Having lost his son, Theo, to… Read more »

  • Curious Dr. George logo, Cancer Commons logo, photo of DeLeys Brandman, MD, Medical Director, Cancer Commons
    Curious Dr. George—Cancer Commons: Breaking Barriers in Cancer Care

    March 27, 2025

    Here’s the latest from our Curious Dr. George! Read “Cancer Commons: Breaking Barriers in Cancer Care” here. For more than a decade, Cancer Commons has helped patients and their care teams access the information and data they need to make informed decisions. Demand for this kind of help is only growing. Here, Curious Dr. George asks our very own Medical Director, DeLeys Brandman, MD,… Read more »

  • Curious Dr. George logo, Cancer Commons logo, and photo of Jerald P. Radich, MD, MA, MS, Professor, Translational Science & Therapeutics Division, Kurt Enslein Endowed Chair, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
    Curious Dr. George—How an Expert Would Manage His Own Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

    January 9, 2025

    Here’s the latest from our Curious Dr. George! Read “How Would an Expert Manage His Own Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia?” here. When facing a frightening new cancer diagnosis, some people ask their doctors, “What would you do if you were me?” Here, our Curious Dr. George asks expert oncologist Jerald P. Radich MD, MA, MS, how he would handle his own hypothetical case of chronic… Read more »

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