Artificial intelligence (AI) is proving to be more than just a tool for mundane tasks like writing emails. Top scientists around the world are leveraging AI to make groundbreaking discoveries in the fight against prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer in men, with 52,000 cases diagnosed annually. However, AI has unveiled that it is not a single disease but rather exists in two different forms.
A recent study led by researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of Manchester utilized AI to analyze data from prostate cancer samples obtained from 159 patients. By examining changes in the DNA of these samples through whole-genome sequencing, scientists identified distinct “branches” of the disease known as evotypes.
Further mathematical analyses were conducted to validate the findings produced by AI.
Funded by Cancer Research UK and published in the journal cell genomics, this study marks a significant milestone as the first instance where AI has been utilized to identify different cancer disease types.
The discovery of these evotypes can help in distinguishing between less harmful and more aggressive prostate cancer types, assisting in making informed treatment decisions and potentially avoiding unnecessary side effects.
In the future, AI may enable doctors to offer personalized treatments based on individual genetic test results.
Co-author Professor Colin Cooper from UEA’s Norwich Medical School expressed optimism about the impact of these findings, emphasizing the potential for improved diagnosis, personalized treatment, and a deeper understanding of cancer.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
