How Startups And Organisations Are Using AI For Cancer Treatment

1 in 7 women in the UK are affected by breast cancer, its also one of the most common cancer related causes of death for women. For many patients, surgery, typically a lumpectomy, is needed where the tumour and some surrounding tissue are removed.

MIT spinout Lumicell is working to help this treatment with a new handheld imaging device. The device, combined with an optical imaging agent, lets surgeons spot cancerous tissue during surgery. It gives a real-time view of the affected area, so they can identify residual cancer cells on the spot, which takes away the need for follow up surgeries.

In a clinical trial involving 357 patients, the device detected tissue that might have otherwise been overlooked, helping surgeons to make more precise removals. Lumicell’s technology recently received FDA approval, which signals progress toward more effective surgical outcomes for breast cancer patients.

How Does Lumicell’s Device Detect Cancer Cells During Surgery?

Before surgery, patients are given an intravenous dose of an imaging agent that helps identify cancerous cells. This agent allows Lumicell’s device to show cancerous areas on a monitor during surgery, which guides the surgeon in removing any remaining affected tissue. This procedure adds less than seven minutes to the surgery.

Traditional pathology involves examining a small portion of removed tissue, meaning that some cancer cells may go undetected. Lumicell’s technology scans the entire area, for a more complete view of the surgical cavity.

The technology has had a personal impact on some team members, such as MIT Professor Linda Griffith, who survived breast cancer twice. Her own experience gave her insight into the emotional and physical strain of waiting for post-surgery results, motivating her dedication to making this technology available for others facing similar journeys.

Can AI Predict Prostate Cancer Progression?

AI technology is also helping prostate cancer treatment. A recent study published in Radiology looked at how an AI-based MRI technique could predict prostate cancer outcomes, such as metastasis risk, by calculating tumour volume. This method, known as VAI, has proven effective in estimating the likelihood of cancer spreading, which can guide treatment choices.

The AI model uses MRI to identify cancer characteristics, such as tumour size and specific scoring patterns, bringing consistency in evaluation. The technology has shown accuracy similar to that of experienced radiologists and gives detailed information that supports doctors in planning treatments.

Research showed that the AI model’s predictions were reliable over 7 years, outperforming some traditional assessment methods. The ability to assess cancer risk more accurately can be invaluable, especially for patients who need more aggressive treatments.

Can AI Help Avoid Unnecessary Chemotherapy?

In breast cancer treatment, the decision to undergo chemotherapy is often difficult. Ataraxis, a health-tech startup, has developed a tool, Ataraxis Breast, that helps doctors assess if a patient truly needs chemotherapy. The tool intends on sparing patients from unnecessary treatment by distinguishing high-risk cancers from low-risk ones with up to 30% more accuracy than standard methods.

Ataraxis Breast uses different AI models, averaging predictions to reduce errors and improve reliability. For patients, this means faster and possibly less costly diagnostics that could lead to more personalised treatments. In many cases, avoiding chemotherapy can spare patients the physical side effects and financial burden of a treatment they might not need.

The company’s CEO, Jan Witowski, is optimistic that this technology could benefit thousands of breast cancer patients each year. Ataraxis continues to conduct studies to refine its tool, with hopes to apply its technology to other types of cancer in the future.

Are Startups Expanding AI In Cancer Treatment?

Companies like Ataraxis and Lumicell are also working to use AI technologies for other types of cancer. Lumicell, is investigating whether its imaging agent can be applied to detect cancer in areas such as the prostate, stomach, and esophagus.

Meanwhile, Ataraxis plans to continue developing its breast cancer model while looking AI’s use for other cancer types. The company is optimistic that its diagnostic tools could be available to doctors by 2025, growing the amount of treatment options and making personalised care more accessible.