AI to predict ovarian cancer outcomes

Researchers have secured A$2.8m to test whether AI can better predict ovarian cancer survival and response to treatment.

The grant will allow researchers to use AI to analyse one of the largest international collections of ovarian cancer data, bringing together tumour images, clinical records, immune features, genetic information and lifestyle factors from thousands of patients across international research groups.

The award includes an A$1.4m (US$1m) AI Accelerator Grant from the Global Ovarian Cancer Research Consortium and a further A$1.4m (US$1m) from Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, provided as technical and computing resources.

The project is co-led by Professor Susan Ramus of UNSW Sydney, who leads the international Ovarian Tumour Tissue Analysis consortium and whose team manages the database of experimental and clinical data from more than 15,000 tumours.

Other co-leads include researchers from the University of Michigan, the University of British Columbia in Canada and the University of Cambridge.

“With this grant, we will use AI to perform large-scale integrated analysis of already available images and data on thousands of ovarian tumours to identify patterns that can predict patient survival,” Ramus said.

“Despite robust data, conventional statistical models have had limited success identifying distinct markers of longer survival.

“The goal is to use AI to uncover more complex patterns and develop robust tools to personalise treatment and improve patient outcomes.”

In the validation stage, the team will prepare DNA and RNA samples from tumours from patients with more recent diagnoses from the UK, Canada and Australia.

Robin Penty, chief executive of the Australian-based Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, said: “For too long, ovarian cancer has been left in the shadows, complex, underfunded and devastating for too many women.

“This new project, enhanced by the generous support of Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, could signal a turning point.

“By harnessing the best of artificial intelligence, scientific collaboration, and global philanthropy, we can finally start unlocking the answers that have held back progress for decades.

“OCRF is proud to stand with our international colleagues at the forefront of this effort, because women deserve nothing less than bold research that drives real change and transforms survival outcomes worldwide.”

Juan Lavista Ferres, Microsoft chief data scientist and director of its AI for Good Lab, said: “New discoveries are urgently needed to find lifesaving treatments for ovarian cancer.

“Equipping leading researchers around the globe with powerful AI tools and computing resources will help accelerate their critical work and drive progress toward breakthroughs that could save lives.”