Chinese researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can predict the risk of liver cancer returning after surgery with an accuracy of 82.2%, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature.
Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with a postoperative recurrence rate as high as 70%. Predicting whether the cancer will return has been a significant challenge for doctors, impacting treatment decisions and patient outcomes.
The team from the University of Science and Technology of China, led by Sun Cheng, created a scoring system called TIMES. This innovative system assesses the spatial patterns of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment to evaluate the likelihood of cancer relapse. Unlike traditional methods that focus solely on the quantity of immune cells, TIMES emphasizes their spatial organization, which the study found to be a crucial factor in determining clinical outcomes.
“By analyzing how immune cells are arranged within the tumor, we’ve gained new insights into how the body’s immune response affects cancer recurrence,” Sun explained.
The researchers utilized advanced techniques such as spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and multispectral immunohistochemistry, combined with AI-driven spatial analysis, to develop this novel method for evaluating tumors. The system was trained using liver cancer tissue samples from 61 patients, enabling it to accurately predict recurrence risks.
In a move to make the technology widely accessible, the team has released a free online version of TIMES. This platform allows medical professionals around the world to upload pathological staining images and receive instant risk assessments.
“Our goal is to provide doctors, especially in regions with limited resources, with a powerful tool to optimize personalized treatment plans for their patients,” Sun said. “We are also working closely with industry partners to standardize clinical applications of our system.”
This breakthrough could mark a significant step forward in the fight against liver cancer, offering hope for improved patient care and survival rates.
