The fight against cancer is seeing a fresh wave of innovation, with AI entering the ring to improve patient outcomes. A new artificial intelligence test can now predict, which men with prostate cancer, can benefit most from a drug that cuts the risk of death in half. This breakthrough brings hope for smarter, tailored treatments and less unnecessary medication.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
Doctors from the US, UK, and Switzerland have developed an AI tool that identifies men likely to benefit from abiraterone, a prostate cancer drug called a “gamechanger” by experts. Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer in men across over 100 countries. While abiraterone has extended the lives of hundreds of thousands of men with advanced prostate cancer, many health systems, including England’s NHS, hesitate to expand its use to men whose cancer hasn’t spread.
The new AI test analyzes tumor images, detecting features invisible to human eyes. It assigns patients a biomarker-positive or biomarker-negative status based on their likelihood to respond to abiraterone. Trials on biopsy images from over 1,000 men with high-risk, non-metastatic prostate cancer showed promising results. For the 25% of men with biomarker-positive tumors, abiraterone reduces the five-year risk of death from 17% to 9%. Men with biomarker-negative tumors see little benefit, suggesting they could avoid unnecessary side effects from the drug.
Professor Nick James, co-leader of the study from the Institute of Cancer Research in London and a consultant clinical oncologist at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, notes, “Abiraterone has already hugely improved outcomes for advanced prostate cancer. This research helps us target treatment to those who benefit most, sparing others unnecessary risks.”
The side effects of abiraterone include monitoring for high blood pressure, liver abnormalities, and slightly increased risks of diabetes and heart attacks. Precision in prescribing the drug could reduce these risks for many men.
Professor Gert Attard from the UCL Cancer Institute, co-leader of the study, adds, “Novel AI algorithms can extract rich data from routine pathology slides to tailor treatment, minimize over-treatment, and maximize chances of cure.”
Despite approval in Scotland and Wales for men with high-risk non-metastatic disease, England’s NHS currently limits abiraterone to advanced cases. Given the drug’s relatively low cost — just £77 per pack, far less than newer medications — there is growing pressure for NHS England to reconsider its funding stance.
Dr Matthew Hobbs, Director of Research at Prostate Cancer UK, calls the AI test “exciting” and supports the call for wider abiraterone access. “This research lets us identify who truly needs this drug, potentially saving lives.”
This AI-driven test represents a step toward more personalized, effective cancer care. By distinguishing who benefits from abiraterone, healthcare providers can optimize treatment decisions and improve survival rates while limiting side effects.
TF Summary: What’s Next
AI is changing cancer treatment by guiding personalized drug use. This test could expand abiraterone’s reach to patients who benefit most and reduce unnecessary treatment risks. As healthcare systems evaluate this data, men with high-risk prostate cancer may soon access more tailored, life-extending care.
Expect growing interest in AI tools that analyze medical images to refine treatment choices. This approach may establish a model for other cancers and drugs, advancing precision medicine on a grander scale.
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