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Canberra, Australia – Researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) have developed a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) tool, DeepPT, that holds the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment by selecting the most suitable therapies for patients.
DeepPT, as detailed in the prestigious journal Nature Cancer, predicts a patient’s messenger RNA (mRNA) profile. mRNA, essential for protein production, is pivotal for personalized cancer medicine. This tool, when combined with another tool called ENLIGHT, has demonstrated remarkable success in predicting patient responses to cancer therapies across a spectrum of cancer types.
Dr. Danh-Tai Hoang, the lead author of the study, emphasized the extensive training DeepPT underwent. “DeepPT was trained on over 5,500 patients across 16 prevalent cancer types, including breast, lung, head and neck, cervical, and pancreatic cancers,” Dr. Hoang stated. This robust training enables the AI to deliver highly accurate predictions.
One of the significant advantages of DeepPT is its reliance on histopathology images—microscopic pictures of patient tissue—which are routinely available, cost-effective, and timely. This characteristic is particularly beneficial as it mitigates delays associated with processing complex molecular data, a process that can take weeks and is often critical for patients with high-grade tumors requiring immediate treatment.
“This cuts down on delays in processing complex molecular data, which can take weeks,” Dr. Hoang noted. “Any delay can affect patients with high-grade tumors who might require immediate treatment. In contrast, histopathology images are routinely available, cost-effective, and timely.”
The innovative integration of DeepPT and ENLIGHT represents a significant advancement in the field of personalized cancer therapy. By harnessing the power of AI and readily available medical data, this tool enhances the precision of treatment selection, potentially improving patient outcomes and saving lives.
As cancer therapy continues to evolve, tools like DeepPT signify a transformative leap forward, offering hope and improved care for patients worldwide. The Australian National University’s contribution to this field underscores the vital role of AI in modern medicine and its potential to redefine patient care standards.
