Responsible for around 609,360 deaths in the US alone during 2022, cancer is indisputably one of the biggest killers around. Even though cancer treatments have come a long way in the last couple of decades, there’s still a lot of work to be done. Over the past few years, scientists have been busy integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the battle against cancer, making breakthroughs in DNA sequencing, and finding new ways to test for things like pancreatic cancer. Throughout this article, we discuss the latest advancements in cancer treatment.
Artificial Intelligence Joins the Fight
AI has been taking the world by storm, so it’s no surprise that scientists are using it to help with cancer research. In one case, AI and machine learning (ML) are being used for risk profiling and screening, especially for common cancers. The outcome of this is a speedier diagnosis, earlier treatment, and a better prognosis. Additionally, AI technology is being employed to review X-ray and MRI results at a significantly faster and more accurate rate than professionals, thereby reducing instances of misdiagnosis.
Precision Oncology
According to Sizhen Wang, the executive chief for Genetron Health, “Precision oncology is the best new weapon to defeat cancer”. This area is the study of molecular features and genetic makeup of cancerous tumors. In particular, this approach involves looking for shifts in cells potentially leading to cancer and promoting the spread.
With this type of testing being tailored to each individual, it’s helping scientists to form targeted treatments. This is better than relying on chemotherapy and it can take much less of a toll on the body.
Xenografts Models
Xenograft mouse models first emerged back in 2014 and have since become the industry standard for testing the effects of anti-cancer drugs. Cell line-derived tumor models refer to the placing of human tumor cells into mice with immunocompromised systems, which negates graft vs. host reaction. Typically, the xenograft models include orthotopic and subcutaneous while the Vivo tumor models are drawn from the blood, lung, skin, colon, or breast.
Light in the Pancreatic Cancer Battle
Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest cancer because it’s difficult to detect before it has started spreading. However, scientists at the University of California have developed a test that is able to pick up around 95% of early pancreatic cancers.
Digging into the DNA
Experts at Cambridge University, England, have been studying tumors from 12,000 patients to draw out information about the root causes of cancer. Observing genomic data, scientists are assessing each mutation for influencers. For example, lung cancer may be caused by someone smoking cigarettes, and skin cancer may come from exposure to UV rays. Even though these aren’t new indicators, this groundbreaking research has found almost 60 new triggers for cancer, which is only expanding the knowledge bank and strengthening the fight.
Cancer devastates thousands of people and families every year, but scientists are constantly on the edge of the next breakthrough. Everything discussed above takes us a step in the right direction, but there are so many more revolutionary advances being made to improve diagnoses and prognoses.