Healthcare (Commonwealth Union) – In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in various sectors, from healthcare to finance, revolutionizing the way we live and work
Scientists funded by Cancer Research UK at UCL and The Francis Crick Institute have developed the first computer algorithm capable of pinpointing tumour cells responsible for driving aggressive cancer growth.
Named SPRINTER, this advanced algorithm examines individual cells within a tumour to identify those exhibiting the fastest growth.
This breakthrough technology holds the potential to aid clinicians in detecting rapidly growing cancer cells in early-stage tumours and forecasting how a patient’s cancer might evolve.
The findings are detailed in a study published in Nature Genetics.
Dr. Simone Zaccaria, senior author from the UCL Cancer Institute, emphasize that he role of sophisticated computational algorithms in their research cannot be overstated. They enabled them to process vast, complex datasets with speed and precision, revealing growth patterns in cells that would be impossible to detect manually.
“Future progress in cancer research hinges on the use of cutting-edge technologies to pave the way for more precise interventions and better patient outcomes.”
Developing new, targeted cancer therapies is a significant challenge due to the complexity and diversity of cancer cells within a tumour. Each tumour contains a mix of different cell types, which can respond variably to treatments, develop resistance, or adapt in unpredictable ways.
Dr. Zaccaria and his team sought to distinguish between these cell populations by identifying the fastest-growing cells, as these are more likely to influence a patient’s outcome.
Using SPRINTER, the team examined nearly 15,000 cancer cells from a patient with non-small cell lung cancer, the most prevalent form of lung cancer.
This approach enabled them to analyze cells from the patient’s primary tumour and those from secondary tumours that had spread to other areas of the body.
The findings revealed that the fastest-growing cells were driving the spread of cancer to distant sites and were responsible for forming new secondary tumours, rather than all secondary tumours originating solely from the primary one.
Additionally, these rapidly dividing cells released higher amounts of DNA into the bloodstream, known as circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). This discovery opens the door to developing blood tests to identify aggressive cancer-driving cells using a simple, minimally invasive method.
Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, Dr Iain Foulkes, says “This research is another crucial step in our efforts to improve the outlook for people affected by lung cancer, while also providing valuable insights into the fundamental biology of all cancers. From uncovering the causes of lung cancer to pioneering drugs to treat it and campaigning for change, Cancer Research UK is powering progress for people impacted by the disease.”
The researchers hope these findings will serve as a foundation for future clinical studies, translating the insights from SPRINTER into practical cancer treatments. The ability to detect aggressive cancer cell populations early and track them over time opens new possibilities for more personalized and proactive cancer care.
The patient involved in this study was also part of the Cancer Research UK-funded TRACERx and PEACE studies. These initiatives work together to follow the progression of lung cancer from diagnosis through to the end of life.
Professor Charles Swanton, Cancer Research UK’s chief clinician at UCL Cancer Institute and the Francis Crick Institute, pointed out that the research highlights the transformative impact of groundbreaking studies like TRACERx and PEACE on our understanding of cancer. By utilizing advanced technologies and fostering collaboration among top experts in the field, these studies are shedding light on the intricate processes of cancer progression and evolution.
