Early cancer diagnosis and artificial intelligence (AI) are both rapidly evolving fields, and in some cases, they converge in crucial ways. Specifically, harnessing the power of AI machine learning has changed how we can identify DNA signatures that predict cancer – as early as stage 1.
Cancer continues to be the second leading cause of death in the US. A total of 1.9 million new cancer cases and 609,360 deaths from cancer are expected to occur in the US in 2022. The key to lowering these numbers lies heavily in early detection and treatment.
Artificial intelligence approaches, such as machine learning, feature algorithms that can teach themselves how to analyze and interpret data. As a result, these algorithms can pick up on patterns that are not easily discernible to the human eye. The more data we feed to these AI algorithms, the more we can learn about detecting patterns and cancer in its early stages.
Let’s take a deeper look at the AI cancer detection technology that’s changing how we find and identify cancers.
Artificial intelligence is transforming the paradigm of screening, making cancer easier to detect early and start treating immediately. New technology can go beyond what humans can do, “seeing” things that we cannot and establishing critical patterns in data.
Early detection is crucial when it comes to improving patient outcomes – especially in fast-moving, deadly cancers. Unfortunately, these cancers are often difficult to catch in their early stages.
For instance, less than half of all liver cancers in the US are diagnosed at an early stage while still localized. By using tools such as artificial intelligence to establish early patterns, doctors can detect liver cancer quickly and open the door to immediate (potentially curative) treatment options, including surgeries and transplants.
This is what we’re doing at Helio Genomics. By combining the results of cell-free DNA methylation testing with data from protein tumor markers and other clinical information, our HelioLiver test delivers goes above and beyond when detecting the primary kind of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Artificial intelligence doesn’t just offer an early way to detect cancer. When compared to traditional liver methods, AI cancer detection technology like HelioLiver also offers…
1. Ease of Use
Simpler is almost always better, especially when it comes to healthcare. HelioLiver streamlines the screening process, making things easier for both medical providers and patients. AI technology can make impressive strides in diagnosis with one simple and affordable blood test.
2. High Sensitivity
Artificial intelligence tests like the HelioLiver are also more sensitive than currently available blood-based tests for early cancer detection. We have pioneered a multi-modal and mult-omic test that combines DNA signatures and proteomic biomarkers to detect cancer with greater sensitivity and specificity compared to current screening modalities.
The sensitivity benefits don’t stop at detecting liver cancer. According to research from 2019, AI-based computer-aided detection algorithms can significantly improve radiologists’ sensitivity in breast cancer screening and beyond.
3. Improved Patient Adherence
A 2021 study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology found that some of the top barriers to cancer screening include the “unpleasantness of testing,” a lack of awareness, and concerns about cost.
Blood-based cancer detection tests, enabled by advanced artificial intelligence, combats all three of these common barriers. They are quick, easy to understand and schedule, and more affordable than most other traditional tests. The hope is that this will expand testing possibilities and encourage more patients to get tested early.
4. Proven Reliability
AI cancer detection tests like HelioLiver are also highly trustworthy. At Helio Genomics, we’ve spent the better part of the last decade working with renowned clinics, scientists, and doctors to ensure accuracy. Our test provides easy-to-interpret results that allow for immediate diagnosis and treatment action.
At Helio Genomics, our development pipeline is focused on colon and lung cancer. The potential for AI’s improvement in cancer detection is near limitless – and we expect to see a huge shift in the use of artificial intelligence for cancer diagnoses.
Already, we are seeing AI used to pick out and treat aggressive prostate cancers in MRI scans. Although radiologists have long read these scans to detect cancer, this leaves room for human error and requires a highly trained eye. AI reduces the learning curve for radiologists and can significantly minimize the error rate.
Similarly, several AI models are in development to help doctors more easily detect lung cancer on CT scans. Noncancerous changes in the lungs can often look like cancer on a CT scan, resulting in false positive tests. Artificial intelligence could be the key to increasing accuracy in these assessments.
AI-driven cancer detection is also now used in many mammograms. Some research even indicates that artificial intelligence could help detect breast cancers up to 2 years earlier than most human experts, resulting in better, more immediate treatment.
As Hugo Aerts, Ph.D., of Harvard Medical School said, complex tasks that rely on “a human making an interpretation of an image—say, a radiologist, a dermatologist, a pathologist — that’s where we see enormous breakthroughs being made with deep learning.”
Millions of people will be diagnosed with cancer in the next year – but our team at Helio Genomics and other experts around the world are working to improve detection for better diagnosis and fast treatment. The more accurate and earlier detection is, the better the chance of patient recovery.
Thanks to our research and technology, finding liver cancer (and others) is as simple as a blood draw. At Helio Genomics, we focus our work on early detection when treatment is most effective and the chances of beating cancer are highest.
To further the use of artificial intelligence in cancer detection, we’re collaborating with leaders in clinical care around the world. Our ultimate goal is to empower more people to check for cancer early and often with convenient, affordable testing.
Want to learn more about our work or AI cancer detection? Our team is ready to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today.