Healthcare experts have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model that can predict whether aggressive breast cancer will spread – by detecting changes in lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes are structures under the arm that show whether breast cancer has spread in women with triple-negative breast cancer.
According to experts, patients in these cases require more intensive treatment, but the AI model can help doctors plan treatment, as well as provide peace of mind for patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer. There are also possibilities.
Dr Anita Grigoridis, who led the research at the Breast Cancer Now Unit at King’s College London, said: “By showing that lymph node changes can predict whether triple-negative breast cancer will spread, we have used our “Based on the growing knowledge gained about this important disease. The role that the immune response can play in understanding the patient’s prognosis.”
“We took these findings under the microscope and translated them into a deep learning framework to build an AI model to potentially help doctors treat and care for patients, and Giving them another tool in their arsenal to help prevent secondary breast cancer. . . .
It is estimated that 15% of all breast cancers in the UK are triple negative, with over 8,000 cases a year. This type usually has no protein found in breast cancer and accounts for 25% of deaths.
In the study, published in Journal of Pathology, clinicians tested their AI model on more than 5,000 lymph nodes donated by 345 patients to biobanks. The model successfully established the possibility that breast cancer can spread to other parts of the body.
The research showed that the AI model was able to make this prediction by analyzing the immune response in the lymph nodes alone, even when the breast cancer cells had not spread to the organs. The next step is clinical trials.
Dr Grigoriadis added: “We are planning further testing at centers across Europe to make this model more robust and valid.”
“The transition to using computers in the NHS to assess tissue on glass slides under a microscope is gathering pace.”
“We want to take advantage of this change to develop AI-powered software based on our model for pathologists to use to benefit women with difficult-to-treat breast cancer.”
Dr Simon Vincent, Director of Research, Support and Influencing at Breast Cancer Now, said: “If, thanks to this research, it is possible to provide women with more appropriate treatment and care based on the likelihood of breast cancer spreading, then can help. To save lives and reduce stress and anxiety.”
“We look forward to further results to understand how this may work in practice to benefit women with this type of breast cancer.”