HEALTH

Cutting-edge technology brings hope to brain cancer patients by accurately predicting outcomes and empowering personalized treatment plans.

In a groundbreaking breakthrough, researchers from King's College London have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) deep learning model that can predict the survival of adult patients with brain cancer. This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of glioblastoma, a difficult-to-treat cancer with a low survival rate.

The deep learning model created by the research team allows clinicians to reliably and accurately predict patient outcomes, providing valuable insights for planning the next stage of treatment. By utilizing AI, doctors can refer patients to potentially life-saving treatments more quickly and efficiently. This is a significant advancement, as currently, patients undergo routine scans to determine the effectiveness of chemotherapy, exposing them to harmful side effects and ineffective treatments.

Glioblastoma patients typically survive for only eight months after receiving radiotherapy, which is usually followed by a typical course of routine chemotherapy. However, with the use of AI, doctors can now use a single routine MRI scan to obtain instantaneous and accurate predictions about a patient's likelihood of survival. This empowers doctors to identify patients who would not benefit from chemotherapy, enabling them to explore alternative treatments or enroll patients in clinical trials for experimental therapies.

Dr. Thomas Booth, Reader in Neuroimaging at the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, shared his excitement about the study, stating, "We would be delighted if the cancer research community now uses our artificial intelligence tool to see improved outcomes for patients who won't benefit from the usual course of chemotherapy."

The study utilized a vast dataset of brain scans from thousands of patients with brain cancer to train the AI deep learning model. Dr. Booth further explained, "Feedback from all patients and clinicians at the start of the study meant that we wanted to address the unmet need of improving outcomes for the large proportion of patients undergoing modified treatment - as well as the minority of patients who can tolerate the 'optimal' treatment."

This remarkable innovation has garnered attention from neuro-oncology centers across the UK, with 11 centers collaborating on the study. Dr. Helen Bulbeck, Director of Services and Policy at brainstrust, a brain tumor charity, emphasized the significance of this research for patients, saying, "This exciting and fundamental research empowers patients and their caregivers to make choices about their clinical pathway and regain control at a time when so much control has been lost."

Dr. Michele Afif, CEO at The Brain Tumour Charity, also highlighted the importance of AI in improving care for brain tumor patients, stating, "The use of AI to evaluate and predict response to radiotherapy at an early point in a patient's treatment for glioblastoma is a hugely important step in tackling this notoriously difficult-to-treat disease."

The potential impact of this AI deep learning model extends beyond survival predictions. Patients will now have access to informed discussions about treatment options, early consideration of alternatives like clinical trials, and the ability to plan their time to live their best possible day, every day.

As the medical field continues to embrace AI and deep learning models, this pioneering research offers hope and inspiration to patients battling brain cancer. It signifies the relentless pursuit of cutting-edge technology to bring about tangible improvements in patient outcomes. Ultimately, this breakthrough brings us one step closer to a future where accurate predictions and personalized treatments transform the landscape of cancer care.