Researchers at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), Cleveland Clinic, and University Hospitals (UH) have secured a five-year, $2.78 million grant from the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) in improving treatment for rectal cancer patients. According to the American Cancer Society, rectal cancer is the third most common type of digestive system cancer in the U.S., with an estimated 46,000 diagnoses this year.
The research team will use AI to analyze MRI scans to precisely measure how rectal tumors respond to treatment. This initiative aims to resolve the challenges clinicians encounter in determining the effectiveness of therapies in shrinking or eliminating tumors.
The study will leverage a biology-driven radiomics approach to evaluate medical images from over 900 patients. It will also incorporate data from a prior clinical trial focused on rectal cancer treatments.
The primary objective is to develop a non-invasive, accurate method to identify patients whose tumors have been completely eradicated post-treatment, potentially reducing unnecessary surgeries and their associated risks.
Andrei S. Purysko, associate professor of radiology at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and co-principal investigator, highlighted the study’s potential to identify tumor signatures that are typically undetectable, integrating these findings with clinical assessments to enhance treatment workflows.
The project will be spearheaded by Viswanath’s team, supported by CWRU’s new Center for AI Enabling Discovery in Disease Biology. This center, recently announced by School of Medicine Dean Stan Gerson, aims to merge medical science with AI to advance health outcomes.
Emily Steinhagen, co-principal investigator and colorectal surgeon at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, emphasized the study’s role in tailoring patient care. By accurately assessing responses to chemotherapy and radiation, the research will enable personalized treatment strategies and improve overall outcomes for rectal cancer patients.
