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New with Artificial Intelligence

While human interaction and personal care will always lead cancer treatment, Comprehensive Cancer Centers is mindful of how technology can improve cancer diagnosis and care. The practice already uses technology, such as CyberKnife® Radiosurgery for treatment, and is always looking out for new ways to use emerging technology in patient care.

A key area of growth, which is starting to gain significant traction, is found in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in patient diagnosis and care. While many of these technologies are still in their developmental phases, progress shown has captured the attention of the physicians at Comprehensive.

Machine learning, artificial intelligence, and algorithmic advancements made by research scientists and engineers are driving more targeted medical therapies through the power of prediction. The ability to rapidly analyze large amounts of complex data has clinicians closer to providing individualized treatments for patients, with an aim to create better outcomes through more proactive, personalized medicine and care.

Two new studies about these technologies were recently published are showing how AI is helping augment cancer care and healthcare in general. One study, done by Georgia Institute of Technology and Ovarian Cancer Institute, has shown how researchers are using machine learning algorithms to predict how patients will respond to cancer-fighting drugs.

For the study, researchers developed predictive machine learning-based models for 15 distinct cancer types, using data from 499 independent cell lines provided by the National Cancer Institute. Those models were then validated against a clinical dataset containing seven chemotherapeutic drugs, administered either singularly or in combination, to 23 ovarian cancer patients. The researchers found an overall predictive accuracy of 91%.

Researchers noted that, while additional validation will need to be carried out using larger numbers of patients with multiple types of cancer, preliminary finding of 90% accuracy in the prediction of drug responses in ovarian cancer patients is extremely promising. The study gives hope that the days of being able to accurately predict optimal cancer drug therapies for individual patients is in sight.

Another study recently published in the journal Nature Communications by researchers at Tulane, Central South University in China, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Temple University, and Florida State University found that artificial intelligence can accurately detect and diagnose colorectal cancer from tissue scans as well or better than pathologists. The study was designed to test whether AI could be a tool to help pathologists keep pace with the rising demand for their services.

Pathologists evaluate and label thousands of histopathology images on a regular basis to tell whether someone has cancer. But their average workload has increased significantly. The study could be very helpful in showing how technology can successfully leverage artificial intelligence to identify and diagnose colorectal cancer in a cost-effective way. This could ultimately reduce the workload of pathologists.

To conduct the study, the research team collected over 13,000 images of colorectal cancer from 8,803 subjects and 13 independent cancer centers in China, Germany and the United States. Using the images, which were randomly selected by technicians, they built a machine assisted pathological recognition program that allows a computer to recognize images that show colorectal cancer, one of the most common causes of cancer related deaths in Europe and America.

The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve or AUC is the performance measurement tool that the team used to determine the success of the study. After comparing the computer’s results with the work of highly experienced pathologists who interpreted data manually, the study found that the average pathologist scored at .969 for accurately identifying colorectal cancer manually. The average score for the machine-assisted AI computer program was .98, which is comparable if not more accurate.

Using artificial intelligence to identify cancer is an emerging technology and hasn’t yet been widely accepted, but researchers and the team at Comprehensive Cancer are hopeful that studies like this one is promising for the future to make quicker diagnoses and treatments more customizable for patients.

Comprehensive Cancer Centers Can Help

Physicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers provide a variety of treatment options for patients with cancer, blood disorders, breast health conditions, pulmonary disease and sleep disorders and those interested in other services including cancer genetic counseling and world-class clinical research.  To schedule an appointment with the team at Comprehensive, please call 702-952-3350.

 

The content is this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

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