Women worldwide could see better treatment with new AI technology, which enables better detection of damaged cells and more precisely predicts the risk of getting breast cancer, shows new research from the University of Copenhagen.
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. In 2022, the disease caused 670,000 deaths worldwide. Now, a new study from the University of Copenhagen shows that AI can help women with improved treatment by scanning for irregular-looking cells to give better risk assessment.
The study, published in The Lancet Digital Health, found that the AI technology was far better at predicting the risk of cancer than current clinical benchmarks for breast cancer risk assessment.
The researchers used deep learning AI technology developed at the University of Copenhagen to analyze mammary tissue biopsies from donors to look for signs of damaged cells, an indicator of cancer risk.
“The algorithm is a great leap forward in our ability to identify these cells. Millions of biopsies are taken every year, and this technology can help us better identify risks and give women better treatment,” says Associate Professor Morten Scheibye-Knudsen from the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and senior author of the study.
Predicts cases of five times the risk of breast cancer
A core aspect of assessing cancer risk is looking for dying cells, caused by so-called cellular senescence. Senescent cells are still metabolically active but have stopped dividing. Previous research has shown that this senescent state can help suppress cancer development. However, senescent cells can also cause inflammation that can lead to tumor development.
By using deep learning AI to search for senescent cells in tissue biopsies, the researchers were able to predict the risk of breast cancer better than the Gail model, the current gold standard for assessing breast cancer risk.
“We also found that if we combine two of our own models or one of our models with the Gail score, we get results that are far better at predicting the risk of getting cancer. One model combination gave us an odds ratio of 4.70 and that is huge. It is significant if we can look at cells from an otherwise healthy biopsy sample and predict that the donor has almost five times the risk of developing cancer several years later,” says Indra Heckenbach, first author of the study.
Algorithm trained on ‘zombie cells’ can give better treatment
The researchers trained the AI technology on cells developed in cell culture that were intentionally damaged to make them senescent. The researchers then used the AI on the donor biopsies to detect senescent cells.
“We sometimes refer to them as zombie cells because they have lost some of their function, but they are not quite dead. They are associated with cancer development, so we developed and trained the algorithm to predict cell senescence. Specifically, our algorithm looks at how the cell nuclei are shaped, because the nuclei become more irregular when the cells are senescent,” explains Heckenbach.
It will still be several years until the technology is available for use at the clinic, but then it can be applied worldwide, as it only requires standard tissue sample images to do the analysis. Then, women around the globe can potentially use this new insight to get better treatment.
Scheibye-Knudsen adds, “We will be able use this information to stratify patients by risk and improve treatment and screening protocols. Doctors can keep a closer eye on high-risk individuals, they can undergo more frequent mammograms and biopsies, and we can potentially catch cancer earlier. At the same time, we can reduce the burden for low-risk individuals, e.g. by taking biopsies less frequently.”
More information: Indra Heckenbach et al, Deep learning assessment of senescence-associated nuclear morphologies in mammary tissue from healthy female donors to predict future risk of breast cancer: a retrospective cohort study, The Lancet Digital Health (2024). www.thelancet.com/journals/lan … (24)00150-X/fulltext
Image Credit:
News
NIH Scientists Discover Gene Responsible for Rare Eye Disease
Findings supported by the NIH pave the way for the development of genetic testing, clinical trials, and therapies. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and their collaborators have discovered a gene linked to certain [...]
Alzheimer’s Breakthrough: Synthetic THC Pill Proves Effective in Clinical Trial
Patients tolerated synthetic THC (dronabinol) well, without the adverse effects commonly associated with existing Alzheimer’s agitation medications. A study conducted by researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Tufts University School of Medicine found that a pill form [...]
The Future of Rare Disease Treatment with Precision Medicine
Understanding rare diseases Rare diseases affect less than 5 people out of 10,000. However, this still amounts to about 7% of the world’s population, with over 10,000 such conditions. Almost all are genetic in [...]
Doctors issue warning for upcoming ‘tripledemic
The term ‘tripledemic’ has hit headlines this week as the NHS begins its Covid and fluvaccine roll-out for vulnerable adults. As the cold weather sets in, many of us have experienced a decline in health, and this may [...]
The FDA approved a gel that can stop bleeding from wounds in seconds
Aug 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared Cresilon's gel to quickly control bleeding, the privately held company said on Thursday, potentially giving emergency medical technicians and combat medics a [...]
High levels of microplastics found in prostate tumors, possibly linked to take-out food
The presence of microplastics in prostate tumors points to potential health risks, and researchers are calling for urgent studies to explore how take-out food may be driving this exposure. In a recent study published [...]
AI outperforms radiologists in brain tumor diagnosis
As artificial intelligence advances, its uses and capabilities in real-world applications continue to reach new heights that may even surpass human expertise. In the field of radiology, where a correct diagnosis is crucial to ensure [...]
Breakthrough Study Reveals Molecular Clues to Dementia Origins
Work could lead to the discovery of new therapeutic targets. For the first time, researchers have identified “molecular markers” linked to degeneration—detectable changes in cells and their gene-regulating networks—that are common across several types [...]
Better than blood tests? Nanoparticle potential found for assessing kidneys
In a study published July 29 in Advanced Materials, University of Texas at Dallas researchers found that X-rays of the kidneys using gold nanoparticles as a contrast agent might be more accurate in detecting kidney [...]
Greener nanomaterials could transform how our everyday stuff is made
Tiny nanoparticles are at the forefront of materials science—with special properties that make them great at absorbing light in solar panels, cleaning wastewater, and delivering drugs precisely. Some nanoparticles take the form of sheets or fibers. But nanomaterials all [...]
AI could predict breast cancer risk via ‘zombie cells’
Women worldwide could see better treatment with new AI technology, which enables better detection of damaged cells and more precisely predicts the risk of getting breast cancer, shows new research from the [...]
Through the eyes of a cat – biomimicry of feline eyes may revolutionize robotic vision
In a recent study published in the journal Science Advances, researchers leveraged crucial aspects of feline eyes, particularly their tapetum lucidum and vertically elongated pupils (VP), to develop a monocular artificial vision system capable of [...]
New Alzheimer’s Therapy Shows Remarkable Results in Animal Trials
A study from TUM demonstrates a promising therapeutic approach. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have made promising advances in preventing Alzheimer’s by developing a new therapeutic strategy. Their approach focuses on targeting the amyloid beta [...]
Rewriting Cancer’s Blueprint: New Study Challenges Old Theories
A new study argues for a revised clonal evolution model of cancer, incorporating genetic and non-genetic factors to improve understanding and treatment. Like all living organisms, cancer cells are driven by the fundamental need [...]
Microplastics Everywhere: Experts Demand Worldwide Treaty Before It’s Too Late
A new report calls for global action on plastic pollution, urging reductions in plastic production and microplastic emissions. Researchers stress the importance of addressing plastic pollution through both scientific and social science perspectives. A [...]
Blood tests could soon predict your risk of Alzheimer’s
Scientists are closing in on biomarkers that reflect the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and could improve treatments. Like many Alzheimer’s researchers, neurologist Randall Bateman is not prone to effusiveness, having endured disappointments in his [...]
