Medicalfacts Editorial / Janine Budding October 11, 2023 – 11:20 PM
What type of brain tumor does this patient have? AI technology helps to determine this during the operation, within an hour and a half. That normally takes a week. The new technique allows the neurosurgeon to adjust the surgical plan during the operation. Researchers from UMC Utrecht and researchers, pathologists and neurosurgeons from the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology and Amsterdam UMC have published about this today in Nature.
In the Netherlands, 1,400 adults and 150 children are diagnosed with a tumor each year that arises in the brain or spinal cord. Surgery is often the first step in treatment. At this time, the neurosurgeon does not know exactly what type of brain tumor and what degree of aggressiveness it is during the operation. The exact diagnosis is usually only available one week after the operation, namely after the tumor tissue has been visually and molecularly analyzed by the pathologist.
Deep-learning algoritme
Researchers from UMC Utrecht have developed a new ‘deep-learning algorithm’, a form of artificial intelligence, which means that long waits are no longer necessary. Jeroen de Ridderresearch group leader at UMC Utrecht and Oncode Institute: “Nanopore sequencing recently became available: a technology for reading DNA in real-time. We developed an algorithm for this that can learn from millions of simulated realistic ‘DNA snapshots’. This allows us to determine the tumor type within 20 to 40 minutes. And that is fast enough to possibly adjust the surgical strategy.”
Tested with biobank
Bastiaan Tonks is head of the Laboratory for Pediatric Oncology at Máxima. He brought together the needs from the operating room and the new technology. This was partly possible thanks to financing from KiKa and in particular the extensive biobank that it Prinses Máxima Centrum has been keeping track of for years. This stores, among other things, tissue from children with a brain tumor. The algorithm was trained and tested using the biobank.
“The fact that we can now determine the type of brain tumor during surgery shows how technology accelerates diagnostics. And how we can use an existing biobank for new technology,” says Tops.
Implemented in practice
The entire process was then also carried out several times during real brain operations, from taking the tissue in the operating room to determining the tumor type. In Utrecht for children, and in Amsterdam for adults. Total duration: 60 to 90 minutes.
The Princess Máxima Center has judged that the results of the technique are sufficiently reliable and is already using it in practice in children for whom the outcome may determine the surgical plan. Amsterdam UMC will also use the technology in daily practice to shorten the diagnosis time.
Eelco Hoving, pediatric neurosurgeon and clinical director of neuro-oncology at Máxima, is pleased with the possibilities of DNA analysis during surgery: “During the operation, a small remnant of tumor tissue is sometimes deliberately left behind to prevent neurological damage. But if it later turns out that it is a very aggressive tumor, a second operation may still be necessary to remove that last bit. This again creates risks and tension for the patient and the entire family. This is prevented because we know during the first operation which type of tumor we are dealing with.”
Jeroen de Ridder: “It is fantastic that by combining all expertise, from fundamental researchers to pathologists and surgeons, we have been able to actually take the step into practice. In this way we can help surgeons optimize the outcome of operations on a brain tumor.”
Comparative research
More research is needed to use the technology even more broadly and structurally. More tumor types need to be added to the algorithm. In this way, international standards can be met, making comparison of data possible. The results of the new and current (longer) method will also be further compared, in collaboration with other (inter)national centers. This should make it clear whether the new method also contributes to the quality of life of patients in the long term.
Artificial intelligence is part of the strategy from the UMC Utrecht, on the way to the healthcare of tomorrow. All AI initiatives have been brought together to promote broader implementation of AI in healthcare, education and research. There are five Health AI Labs within the UMC Utrecht and Utrecht University. Jeroen de Ridder is one of the directors of it AI Lab for Molecular Medicine.
Source: UMC Utrecht
Editorial Medicalfacts / Janine Budding
I studied physiotherapy and health care business administration. I am also a registered independent client supporter and informal care broker. I have a lot of experience in various positions in healthcare, the social domain and the medical and pharmaceutical industries, nationally and internationally. And I have broad medical knowledge of most specialties in healthcare. And the healthcare laws from which healthcare is regulated and financed. I attend most of the leading medical conferences in Europe and America every year to keep my knowledge up to date and to keep up with the latest developments and innovations. I am currently doing a Masters in applied psychology.
My messages on this weblog do not reflect the strategy, policy or direction of an employer, nor are they work by or for a client or employer.
2023-10-11 21:28:08
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