The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Treatment: The Machine Performs Continuously, Knows No Difficulties
A modern medical science is increasingly highlighting the role of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in precision oncology. This approach personalizes the treatment of cancer diseases by considering the individual genetic profile of the patient. The application of AI allows for the rapid processing of vast amounts of data, resulting in significant time savings and efficiency compared to traditional methods.
The number of genes responsible for the development of tumors has already reached hundreds, and these genes have numerous variations. With the spread of targeted therapies that rely on specific molecular alterations of tumors, the number of treatment options seems virtually endless. Processing this information would be nearly impossible with human effort alone, but artificial intelligence can quickly and accurately handle these data, thereby improving patients’ chances of survival.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Precision Oncology
The integration of artificial intelligence into precision oncology has brought revolutionary changes in the field of oncology treatments. The capabilities of AI enable the rapid and efficient analysis of genes and molecular alterations, allowing treatments to be personalized. The genes and their variations responsible for tumor development form a complex system. When examining molecular profiles, artificial intelligence can identify the most significant alterations that contribute to tumor growth and spread.
Imagine a scenario where an oncologist has to select the most relevant genes from 600 genes and thousands of coding sequences to provide the optimal treatment for a patient. This task would be extraordinarily difficult for the human brain, while artificial intelligence can gather and analyze the necessary information in just a few seconds. AI is not only faster but also more accurate, which can improve the effectiveness of treatments.
An American study examining pancreatic cancer patients showed that those who received targeted molecular treatment had significantly better survival rates than those who did not receive such treatment. This also illustrates how important an AI-assisted precision oncology approach could be in the future.
The Process of Digital Therapy Planning
The process of digital therapy planning is extremely precise and complex. The first step involves isolating tumor tissue or tumor cells found in the blood, which occurs under laboratory conditions. This process is time-consuming and requires expertise, but the end result is a molecular profile that includes the genetic alterations of the tumor.
Artificial intelligence then analyzes the molecular data and groups the alterations based on their relevance to tumor development. With this information, the software can prioritize therapeutic options, taking into account the available targeted drugs. Currently, there are more than 200 different targeted agents available, and artificial intelligence can recommend the most effective among these medications.
Digital therapy planning relies not only on machines but also on the collaboration of physicians. Treating doctors, as members of the molecular tumor board, evaluate the recommendations made by artificial intelligence and can modify the therapeutic plan if necessary to best fit the individual needs of the patient. This process ensures that the most appropriate and modern treatments are applied.
Availability and Future Prospects in Precision Oncology
The availability of precision oncology and digital therapy planning is increasingly widespread, although it still faces challenges. Technically, AI-supported diagnostics are accessible to most patients; however, due to limited funding options, necessary support is not always available. The National Health Insurance Fund regulates which tests and treatments are available to patients, and unfortunately, some cases may require private financing.
However, future prospects are promising. The availability of molecular genetic testing is continually expanding, with the goal of providing most cancer patients the opportunity to determine their molecular profile. The application of digital therapy planning may contribute to improving the quality of treatments, as it allows for the use of standardized, reproducible, and validated methods.
The future of artificial intelligence and precision oncology is promising, and it is expected to become even more accessible to patients in the near future, thereby improving the effectiveness of cancer treatment and the quality of life for patients.
