(Editor’s note: In real-time, artificial intelligence is changing all facets of our everyday lives. And this is just the beginning.
(Darryl Mitteldorf, the founder of Malecare, shares his views of how AI is already impacting prostate cancer care and what’s to come. Darryl says that Malecare developed the first AI patient navigation system, Cancer Copilot in 2021 and has just integrated ChatGPT, the game-changing AI technology.
(Want to give Cancer Copilot a spin? Look for the little green popup chat in the lower right of every page at malecare.org Malecare is expanding capacity this summer because the pilot can get hung up with more than 100 visitors at the same time.)
By Darryl Mitteldorf, Founder of Malecare
Prostate cancer remains a critical challenge to men in the United States. Artificial intelligence (AI) now symbolizes transformative hope in the ongoing battle against prostate cancer. My Malecare Cancer Support colleagues and I are pioneering innovative AI applications to reshape the future of prostate cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
A New Era of Imaging for Early Detection
AI has surfaced as a powerful ally in the ever-evolving realm of medical imaging. Deep learning, a sophisticated image analysis technique, allows us to identify suspicious prostate lesions with unparalleled accuracy and at earlier stages. Armed with AI-powered tools, radiologists can interpret magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and other imaging modalities with heightened precision, as these tools illuminate areas of concern and provide quantitative assessments.
Moreover, AI algorithms merge information from multiple imaging techniques, such as MRI and ultrasound, weaving a more comprehensive and accurate tapestry of a patient's prostate health. This fusion of imaging data paves the way for better-targeted biopsies and reduces the number of unnecessary invasive procedures, easing the burden on patients and healthcare providers.
(Malecare’s Cancer Copilot AI responds to a question.)
Demystifying Risk Stratification and Diagnosis
The ability to accurately stratify risk is paramount in determining the most appropriate treatment course for prostate cancer patients. AI models can analyze a vast array of clinical data, such as patient demographics, family history, and genetic information, to predict the likelihood of aggressive disease and the risk of progression. Malecare's 2017 patented predictive and interactive diagnostic system innovation has collected and correlated billions of data points with real-world post-treatment quality-of-life experiences, improving doctor and patient decision-making about treatment options and follow-up care and refining the patient experience.
In addition, machine learning algorithms lend a helping hand in the diagnosis of prostate cancer by analyzing biopsy samples. The traditional method, in which pathologists scrutinize biopsy specimens under a microscope to identify cancerous cells, is subject to human error and subjectivity. AI-powered image analysis tools can standardize the assessment of biopsy samples, mitigating inter-observer variability and bolstering diagnostic accuracy.
Crafting Personalized Treatment Plans
As AI continues its ascent, it holds tremendous potential for developing personalized treatment plans for prostate cancer patients. By incorporating patient-specific data, such as genomics, proteomics, and clinical factors, AI algorithms can predict an individual's response to various therapies. This empowers healthcare providers to tailor treatments to patients' needs, maximizing efficacy and minimizing side effects, ultimately transforming how we approach prostate cancer treatment.
For example, using Malecare's patented device and method for measuring radiation exposure, AI can aid in predicting the optimal radiation dose for each patient undergoing radiation therapy, considering factors such as tumor size, location, and overall health. This leads to more precise treatments, reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissues and decreasing the likelihood of side effects.
Accelerating Drug Development with AI
Drug development is notoriously time-consuming and costly, with only a tiny percentage of candidate drugs ever reaching the market. AI can expedite drug discovery by identifying potential drug targets, predicting efficacy, and screening for possible side effects. Harnessing the power of AI, researchers can sift through vast amounts of data to pinpoint promising compounds and refine their chemical structures, increasing the probability of discovering effective treatments for prostate cancer.
Furthermore, AI can help to identify subgroups of patients who may respond better to specific drugs or drug combinations. This approach, known as precision medicine, has the potential to revolutionize the treatment landscape for prostate cancer, leading to more effective therapies with fewer side effects for patients.
Enhanced Patient Monitoring and Follow-Up
AI also has the potential to improve patient monitoring and follow-up care. Wearable devices, mobile apps like Malecare's Cancergraph, and remote monitoring technologies can collect real-time patient physiological data, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and activity levels. AI algorithms can analyze this data to identify patterns and detect any changes that may indicate a need for medical intervention or adjustments in treatment plans. This streamlines the patient experience and ensures that healthcare providers remain abreast of a patient's condition, leading to better outcomes.
Additionally, AI-powered chatbots like Malecare's Cancer Copilot can offer support and guidance to patients throughout their treatment journey, answering questions, providing reminders, and lending emotional support. This can help to improve patient adherence to treatment regimens, enhance their overall experience, and ultimately contribute to better outcomes.
(Malecare’s Cancer Copilot AI responds to a question.)
As we navigate the dynamic landscape of AI in prostate cancer, we witness a revolution in detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Advanced algorithms, machine learning, and big data are converging to pave the way for more accurate diagnoses, personalized therapies, and improved patient outcomes. As we continue to push the boundaries of AI's potential, the possibilities for positive change in the management of prostate cancer are immense, ultimately leading to better care and improved quality of life for millions of patients across the globe.
However, it is crucial to address potential challenges accompanying AI applications in prostate cancer, such as ensuring data privacy, addressing ethical concerns, and validating the performance of AI algorithms in diverse patient populations. Collaborative efforts among clinicians, researchers, technology developers, and regulatory agencies will be essential in addressing these issues and ensuring AI's responsible and equitable application in prostate cancer care.
(Daryl Mitteldorf, founder of Malecare.)
Darryl Mitteldorf established Malecare in 1997 as a patient support and advocacy organization for men diagnosed with cancer, inspired by his father's prostate cancer diagnosis. He created a set of clinical modalities based on similarities between his father's adjustment issues and those faced by the refugee community he had worked with in Europe. He created a support group that multiplied in size and diversity, including subgroups for gay men, leading Mitteldorf to pioneer the field of LGBT psycho-oncology.
He is an innovator and an author, holding multiple patents and publishing numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. As an NIH-funded investigator and clinician, he has made significant contributions to the field of psycho-oncology. He leads one of the world's largest online communities for cancer patients and is an expert on health support group development.
Through his work with Malecare, The Black Prostate Cancer Alliance, and
The National LGBT Cancer Project, Mitteldorf has positively impacted the lives of thousands.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Swarthmore College and two master's degrees: a Master of Science in Management (now issued as a Master of Public Administration) and a Master of Social Work from New York University.
(DreamStudio AI image of a prostate in the style of Jackson Pollack. I don’t see it.)
ASPI premiers next episode of Active Surveillance 101
Active Surveillance Patients International (ASPI) will premiere the latest episode of the Active Surveillance 101 video series: "Second Opinions and Biopsies," featuring our intrepid researchers, PCa patient Larry White and his savvy wife Nancy White, interviewing uropathology legend Jonathan Epstein, MD, of Johns Hopkins.
The event takes place at 12 p.m. Eastern April 29, 2023. Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtdeqsrDorGt0ujT6Ifo0Jx0FU30yoAt3L
This program is not to be missed. I'm serious--it’s that good.
After the video, ASPI Board Members will mingle with attendees and respond to questions.
[Note: Epstein will not be in person.]
Co-sponsors of the AS 101 series under the Active Surveillance Coalition include AnCan Foundation, Prostate Cancer Support Canada, Prostate Cancer Research Institute, and TheActiveSurveillor.com newsletter.
To view the full AS 101 series to date, covering PSAs, diagnosis, and Active Surveillance, go to https://aspatients.org/a-s-101/https://aspatients.org/a-s-101/
AI says: Don’t worry
MedPageToday reports:
“While concerns about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare are understandable, doctors should recognize this technology is designed to assist, rather than replace, clinicians, according to an interview with ChatGPTopens in a new tab or window.
“In the interview, published in NEJM Catalystopens in a new tab or window, David A. Asch, MD, of the Perelman School of Medicine and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, explored the concerns, promises, and oddities of a future in healthcare that is heavily reliant on AI.
“Asch asked ChatGPT whether doctors should be "a little bit freaked out" by it. The AI chatbot had a measured response: "It's understandable that some doctors may have concerns about the use of ChatGPT in healthcareopens in a new tab or window, as it represents a significant change to the way medical care is traditionally delivered. However, it is important to recognize that ChatGPT is not intended to replace doctors, but rather to assist them in providing better care to patients ... ."
ChatGPT also urged healthcare professionals to stay informed about the latest developments in the technology and to remain open to the possibilities of using it to improve patient care. When Asch pressed ChatGPT about fears of an AI takeover in medicine, the chatbot emphasized that it is "not capable of replacing human healthcare professionals."
Here is my 'heartburn' over all this. If you look at the process of AS, it is absolutely perfect for an AI advisor. In fact, those who are on it and take an active role in it do what the AI would do and would do better. The AI would have access to a colossal amount of case data, imagery and research. You would plug in everything you have, down to the smallest detail, and it would produce a recommendation along with supporting data. Why the NIH has not funded this is anyones guess. <sigh>