AI-Powered Whole-Slide Image Analyzer Predicts Immunotherapy Response for Rare Cancer Patients

Immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab, has become a groundbreaking treatment for cancer patients. However, not all patients respond the same way to this therapy, and identifying who will benefit the most remains a challenge, particularly in the case of rare tumor types where treatment options and research data are sparse. Now, a new study has highlighted the potential of using artificial intelligence (AI) to assess the tumor microenvironment to predict treatment responses in patients with rare cancers receiving pembrolizumab.

In the study, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX, USA) utilized Lunit’s (Seoul, South Korea) AI-powered whole-slide image analyzer, Lunit SCOPE IO, to examine tumor microenvironment characteristics in biopsies taken both before and during treatment from patients with rare tumors undergoing pembrolizumab therapy. The study involved the analysis of over 500 slides from more than 10 different rare tumor types. The results suggest that Lunit SCOPE IO can effectively detect specific patterns in tumor samples that are linked to more favorable treatment outcomes. Patients whose tumors exhibited AI-detected changes in intratumoral immune cells (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes; iTIL) and tumor content were significantly more likely to show positive responses to immunotherapy. These groundbreaking research findings reveal the potential of AI to predict how well patients with rare cancers will respond to immunotherapy treatments.

"These findings highlight how our AI technology can provide deep insights into the unique and challenging tumor microenvironment seen in rare cancers, and represent a critical advancement in our understanding of rare tumor biology," said Brandon Suh, CEO of Lunit. "This study has demonstrated the value of Lunit SCOPE IO in an important clinical setting, showcasing its potential to personalize treatment for patients who have limited therapeutic options. We believe these advancements are a testament to the transformative impact AI can have on oncology and patient outcomes."

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The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center