Revolution in cancer therapy: AI is breaking new ground!

Revolution in cancer therapy: AI is breaking new ground!

In an ongoing effort to revolutionize cancer research and treatment, the Mertelsmann Foundation launched the Collaborative Research Institute Intelligent Oncology (CRIION) in 2022. This is done in close collaboration with the University of Freiburg, the University Hospital of Freiburg and a large number of national and international research groups. A central goal of this institute is the development of adaptive, personalized cancer therapies.

AI technologies play a crucial role in this. CRIION uses state-of-the-art methods to identify digital biomarkers from image and omics data that are able to predict disease progression and optimize therapies in real time. The initiative creates a bridge between basic research and clinical application, which should enable faster and more precise control of cancer. Every year, around half a million people in Germany are diagnosed with cancer, which is the second most common cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. Despite medical advances in recent years, the number of patients is continually increasing.

The use of artificial intelligence in cancer medicine

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into cancer medicine could represent a decisive advance. At the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, AI is used to evaluate imaging procedures. Radiologist David Bonekamp highlights the need for technical support when analyzing 6,000 to 8,000 images per patient. AI systems are able to optimize image data, which is particularly important in the diagnosis of lung nodules and prostate cancer. An algorithm that evaluates magnetic resonance imaging shows promising results and could significantly reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies.

But introducing AI is not without challenges. Experts warn about the risks associated with the use of such systems, such as user trust and the opacity of many algorithms, which often act as a “black box”. Titus Brinker, a dermatologist and AI expert, therefore advocates transparent programs that make their recommendations comprehensible. Nevertheless, initial studies show that AI could improve medical care and early detection, especially for statutory health insurance patients.

Personalized medicine through explainable artificial intelligence

In addition to the work of CRIION and DKFZ, a research team from the universities of Duisburg-Essen and Munich as well as BIFOLD has developed a new approach to personalize cancer therapy. A broad data pool from medical history, laboratory values ​​and genetic analyzes is used to clarify complex relationships. Professor Jens Kleesiek explains that the possibilities of personalized medicine often remain unfulfilled because traditional assessment approaches offer little scope for individual differences.

The results of the study, published in the renowned journal Nature Cancer, are based on data from over 15,000 patients with 38 different solid tumors. The analysis examined 350 parameters that were able to create a differentiated overall prognosis for each patient. This opens up the opportunity for improved decision-making and faster assessment of diagnostic parameters, even in emergencies.

In summary, the combination of high-quality research initiatives and the use of artificial intelligence has the potential to fundamentally transform cancer treatment. This could not only impact the therapy itself, but also revolutionize early detection and diagnostics. The ongoing clinical studies are intended to provide evidence of the benefits these technologies can actually bring to patients.

For more information about the CRIION project visit the University of Freiburg. A detailed look at the role of AI in cancer medicine can be found at daily news. Finally, the offers LMU interesting insights into personalized medicine.