How AI is being harnessed in treatment of cancer

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: Nuclear technology

In the news:

Researchers at Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital, India’s largest cancer hospital, have used data from 60,000 patients to establish a bio-imaging bank for cancer, laying the ground to build a targeted algorithm to help detect the disease at an early stage.
The hospital has also started to use artificial intelligence (Al) to reduce radiation exposure for paediatric patients during computed tomography (CT) scans, showcasing the use and impact of this world-changing technology in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

What is the Tata Memorial Hospital’s Al-led cancer diagnosis initiative?

Tata Memorial Hospital aims to build a comprehensive bio-imaging bank by collecting radiology and pathology images alongside clinical data, treatment specifics, and outcomes.
This initiative focuses on head and neck cancers and lung cancers, gathering data from at least 1,000 patients for each type.
The project involves testing AI algorithms to address various medical tasks like screening for metastases, predicting biomarkers, and therapy responses.
Funded by the government’s Department of Biotechnology, the project collaborates with multiple institutions and features a live data submission portal for investigators to contribute and develop AI algorithms.

How exactly does Al use clinical and imaging data for cancer detection?

AI in cancer detection replicates human brain processing by analyzing radiological and pathological images, learning from vast datasets to identify specific features indicative of different cancers.
Longitudinal patient data from comprehensive imaging aids in understanding behaviour, treatment responses, disease recurrence, and overall survival.
AI and machine learning use this data to create predictive models fortumor survival,guiding treatment decisions.
Creating atumor image bank involves segmenting, annotating, and classifying tumors based on features, correlating biopsy, histopathology, immunohistochemistry reports, and genomic sequences to develop algorithms.
This assessment from images helps doctors avoid unnecessary chemotherapy for predicted non-responders.

What role could Al play in the treatment of cancer in the future?

AI holds immense potential in revolutionizing cancer treatment, especially in rural areas, by customizing treatment strategies based on diverse patient profiles, thus optimizing therapy results.
AI is expected to swiftly detect complex cancers, potentially eliminating the need for extensive tests, even by general practitioners.
Its continuous learning capability enhances accuracy, leading to timely diagnoses,better patient outcomes, and aiding healthcare professionals in decision-making.
However, debates persist regarding the potential replacement of human radiologists by AI tools, leading to regulatory scrutiny and resistance from some doctors and health institutions.