Early cancer diagnosis and artificial intelligence are both rapidly evolving fields, and in some cases they converge in crucial ways. Harnessing the power of AI machine learning has changed how we can identify the DNA signatures that predict cancer — as early as stage 1.
Cancer continues to be the second leading cause of death in the U.S. A total of 1.9 million new cancer cases and 609,360 deaths from cancer were expected to occur in the U.S. 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.
Less than half of all liver cancers in the U.S. are diagnosed at an early stage while still localized. When detected early, the five-year survival rate is dramatically higher — opening the door to potentially curative options like surgery and transplant.
How AI Can Detect Cancer
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 that are often difficult to catch in their early stages. 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.
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 goes above and beyond when detecting the primary kind of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
AI Detection Compared to Traditional Detection
Artificial intelligence doesn't just offer an early way to detect cancer. Compared to traditional liver methods, AI cancer detection technology like HelioLiver also offers four meaningful advantages.
HelioLiver streamlines the screening process for providers and patients alike. AI technology can make impressive strides in diagnosis with one simple, affordable blood test.
2. High Sensitivity. AI tests like HelioLiver are more sensitive than currently available blood-based tests for early cancer detection. We have pioneered a multi-modal, multi-omic test that combines DNA signatures and proteomic biomarkers to detect cancer with greater sensitivity and specificity than current screening modalities. The benefits extend beyond the liver: per 2019 research, AI-based computer-aided detection algorithms can significantly improve radiologists' sensitivity in breast cancer screening and beyond.
3. Improved Patient Adherence. A 2021 study in The American Journal of Gastroenterology found top barriers to screening include the "unpleasantness of testing," lack of awareness, and concerns about cost. Blood-based detection, enabled by advanced AI, addresses all three — quick, easy to schedule, and more affordable than most traditional tests.
4. Proven Reliability. AI cancer detection tests like HelioLiver are 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, providing easy-to-interpret results that allow for immediate diagnosis and treatment action.
The Future of AI in Cancer Detection
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. Already, AI is used to pick out aggressive prostate cancers in MRI scans, reducing the learning curve for radiologists and helping to minimize the error rate. Several AI models are also in development to help doctors more easily detect lung cancer on CT scans, where noncancerous changes can look like cancer and cause false positives.
AI-driven detection is now used in many mammograms, too. Some research even indicates AI could help detect breast cancers up to 2 years earlier than most human experts.
"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 and other experts around the world are working to improve detection for better diagnosis and faster treatment. The more accurate and earlier detection is, the better the chance of patient recovery.
Interested in Learning More About AI in Cancer Detection?
Thanks to our research and technology, finding liver cancer (and others) is as simple as a blood draw. We focus our work on early detection — when treatment is most effective and the chances of beating cancer are highest. 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.
SOURCE Helio Genomics