Western Health to Implement AI Tool for Precise Chemotherapy Dosing
Western Health is gearing up to introduce a groundbreaking AI-powered tool that takes into account patients’ body compositions to determine their exact chemotherapy dosages. This innovative approach is set to revolutionize the way chemotherapy is administered, ensuring personalized and effective treatment for cancer patients.
Research and Development
Collaborating with the University of Melbourne, researchers at Western Health have developed a digital tool that utilizes image recognition and AI technology to analyze CT scans of cancer patients. By assessing the patients’ body compositions, including the percentages of fat, bone, and muscle, the tool can tailor chemotherapy doses to each individual’s unique physiology.
Their study, published in 2023, revealed that body compositions play a crucial role in how chemotherapy drugs are metabolized and stored in the body. Lead researcher Justin Yeung, a surgery professor at the University of Melbourne and consultant colorectal surgeon at Western Health, highlighted the significance of this breakthrough. He noted that the algorithm produced accurate chemotherapy dosing for 84% of patients, a substantial improvement over current dosing methods that rely solely on body surface area calculations based on height and weight.
Prof. Yeung emphasized the importance of considering individual body compositions in chemotherapy dosing, as patients with different fat and muscle ratios may respond differently to the same dose. By customizing dosages based on body compositions, the tool aims to minimize toxicities and enhance treatment outcomes.
Impact and Future Plans
The research team, under the banner of PredicTx Health, a startup dedicated to commercializing the AI solution, received significant grant funding to further develop and implement the tool. By leveraging CT scan data from a large cohort of colorectal cancer patients at Western Health, the team aims to refine and expand the application of the AI algorithm.
Initially focusing on colorectal cancer, where dosing errors are prevalent and can lead to severe side effects, the team is committed to improving treatment accuracy and patient outcomes. Overdosing can result in immunosuppression, heart complications, and infections, prompting patients to discontinue treatment prematurely and jeopardizing their chances of survival.
Industry Trends
Western Health’s initiative aligns with broader trends in healthcare, where AI technology is increasingly being utilized to enhance patient care and safety. Other healthcare facilities, such as St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, have implemented AI-driven solutions to improve medication verification and error prevention.
Moreover, the digitization of cancer information management systems across various health services in Victoria reflects a growing emphasis on automation and efficiency in healthcare delivery. By adopting advanced solutions like Charm Evolution by Magentus, organizations are streamlining workflows and enhancing patient care in oncology settings.
Overall, Western Health’s pioneering use of AI for precise chemotherapy dosing underscores the transformative potential of technology in revolutionizing cancer treatment and improving patient outcomes.
