Away from techniques on a cell surface level, the deployment of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is significant in prostate cancer diagnosis.
Currently, doctors offer patients an MRI scan when a cancer is suspected to have spread beyond the prostate. In most situations, the scan is conducted before a biopsy is taken from the patient.
An ongoing study by researchers at the University of Gothenburg is evaluating whether the combination of PSA testing followed by MRI can reduce overdiagnosis whilst maintaining detection of clinically significant cancer.
“Previous research has shown MRI improves sensitivity. It also reduces unnecessary biopsies and makes biopsies more efficient with the optimum number of samples per patient. MRI will be a great companion to PSA,” says Angel Alberich-Bayarri, CEO of Quibim.
Quibim has developed an AI-powered tool that helps to automatically detect prostate cancer lesions. Alberich-Bayarri sees the market moving towards an integration of detection technologies with targeted therapies. This, he adds, is why MRI’s importance could grow significantly as treatments advance.
Speaking on the use of AI in prostate cancer diagnosis, Alberich-Bayarri is optimistic.
“I see a limitless scenario. Models will be able to train on growing datasets which can improve sensitivity and specificity. We are doing a project on a digital twin of the prostate, for example. In years to come, I am sure we will see MRI plus AI in prostate cancer for asymptomatic patients, heading to a preventative scenario.”
GlobalData strategic intelligence analyst Shabnam Pervez says AI is improving diagnostics by “increasing accuracy, speed, and accessibility”, adding that for prostate cancer, the technology can “identify any subtle anomalies that may be missed by the human eye”, which allows earlier detection and treatment plans.
Beyond imaging, AI can also be used to “analyse genetic data to identify risk factors and predict disease progression, enabling personalised treatment plans,” she adds.
And while it may indeed have limitless potential, Pervez said addressing challenges is crucial in ensuring its “responsible and effective implementation in clinical settings”.
“AI in cancer diagnostics faces limitations such as data quality, interpretability, ethical concerns, and regulatory hurdles. Most importantly, it requires a great deal of human trust, diligence, and training, which can take time.”
With more of an emphasis on earlier MRIs, initial costs will increase. However, researchers are already looking at ways to improve cost efficiency. As part of a trial called PRIME involving 555 patients from 22 hospitals in 12 countries, researchers from University College London (UCL) and University College London Hospitals assessed the impact of dropping one of the three stages of the MRI.
The study demonstrated that using the shorter scan allowed specialists to diagnose 29% of prostate cancers – the same proportion as with three-step scans, which reduces cost and makes scans more accessible.
“This will allow more men to benefit from a better, more accurate diagnosis at a lower cost to healthcare systems not only in the UK but worldwide,” said Matthew Hobbs, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK in a statement at the time.
The effects of Sir Chris Hoy revealing his prostate cancer diagnosis have been remarkable – a nearly eight-fold increase in NHS searches for symptoms of the disease is evidence enough. Diagnostics have already advanced rapidly over the past few decades to accompany more men seeking health checkups – whether these tests can overcome barriers to become screening mainstays in healthcare systems is another question entirely.