Immune system disruption is a known physiological consequence of extended stays in microgravity. This disruption can manifest as either an  overactive immune system, leading to various allergy symptoms, or a weakened  immune system, potentially triggering the reactivation of dormant viral  infections. For instance, astronauts commonly experience herpes cold-sore  flare-ups in space.  

To better understand this phenomenon, researchers are capitalizing on  recent advancements in personalized medicine. Israeli startup OncoHost is developing a platform that uses advanced technologies and machine learning algorithms to provide a personalized, comprehensive and multidimensional  analysis of cancer patients’ immune systems, aiding in the selection of tailored treatments. OncoHost’s sophisticated processing tools enable  scientists to analyze the specific effects of spaceflight on individual astronauts’ immune systems.  

These insights will facilitate the development of targeted countermeasures to prevent and manage life-threatening conditions during deep space  exploration missions. Furthermore, demonstrating the vast potential of immune  system profiling for personalized medicine is expected to usher in a new era  of tailored clinical solutions, benefiting humans both in space and on Earth.

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