NIH develops AI tool to better pair cancer patients with drugs

A study published in Nature Cancer reveals that researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have developed an artificial intelligence tool named PERCEPTION, which predicts individual tumour cell responses to cancer treatment drugs using single-cell RNA sequencing, showing promise in clinical trials for myeloma and breast cancer.

This innovative approach assigns numerical values to drug combinations' effectiveness and ranks them based on tumour cell responses, enabling tailored treatment decisions for patients. This development reflects a broader trend in leveraging artificial intelligence within the life sciences sector, as seen with initiatives like the NIH-funded autism screening tablet application, the Cancer Screen Research Network's pursuit of early cancer detection technologies, and the adaptation of AI programs to predict postpartum PTSD symptoms, showcasing the growing integration of AI in healthcare research and drug discovery efforts worldwide. 

Additionally, Israel-based AION Labs exemplifies collaborative efforts between global pharmaceutical and tech companies, venture capital firms, and research institutes in utilising AI for drug discovery.

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