New study: AI algorithm predicts kidney problems during cancer therapy!

New study: AI algorithm predicts kidney problems during cancer therapy!

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) has developed a groundbreaking method to predict declining kidney function at an early stage. This innovative technique is based on analyzing CT scans using an AI-powered algorithm and could be particularly important for patients undergoing certain cancer therapies. The team found that the kidneys show a slight decrease in volume months before a noticeable decline in function, providing a valuable indicator of possible health risks. TUM reports.

The current study analyzed data from 121 prostate cancer patients treated with the relatively new radioligand therapy lutetium-177 PSMA. This therapy has shown promise for specific tumors, but also poses risks to kidney function. Previous research showed that patients with worse kidney values ​​had changes in kidney tissue after therapy. Dr. Lisa Steinhelfer, lead author of the study, emphasizes that tissue samples cannot be taken routinely. Therefore, alternative methods of monitoring kidney function are crucial.

Therapy and its risks

Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy, a radioligand therapy method, was specifically developed for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). This treatment is administered intravenously and the majority is excreted by the kidneys, raising serious concerns about possible renal toxicity, particularly with multiple doses. A study documented the safety of this therapy in a patient with concurrent malignancy and a functioning kidney.

The therapy was successfully used in a 69-year-old man who suffered from mCRPC and had already been diagnosed with a kidney tumor. Despite his complex medical history, the patient received three cycles of lutetium-177 PSMA-617 therapy, and renal function was found to remain stable during and after treatment. This shows the need for precise monitoring methods to detect and counteract potential damage in a timely manner during therapy.

The role of artificial intelligence in medicine

Developments in medical image analysis are consistent with a larger trend involving the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine. AI is seen as a catalyst for fundamental change in healthcare. It is intended to not only increase the accuracy of diagnoses, but also enable individualized treatment plans and increase efficiency across the healthcare sector. The German Medical Association summarizes, AI is being integrated into daily life in many ways, with applications ranging from image enhancement on smartphones to speech processing in intelligent assistants.

In summary, the combination of advanced technology and AI-driven analysis opens up new perspectives for the early detection and treatment of diseases. Particularly in oncology, this can make a decisive contribution to improving patient care and at the same time increase safety during aggressive therapies.