AI Technique to Make Cancer Tracking More Efficient Than Before

Scientists at the A*STAR Genome Institute of Science (A*STAR GIS), Singapore, have developed a new AI method called ‘Fragle’ to accurately detect even small traces of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in blood samples.

The technique analyses the size distribution of DNA fragments in the blood. Since ctDNA differs in size compared to healthy DNA, this AI method leverages these differences to quantify the amount of tumor DNA present. This enables physicians to understand how well a patient is responding to cancer treatment and detect early signs of relapses.

Unlike existing conventional cancer detection methods, which are often complex and expensive, Fragle is designed to be simpler and cost-effective. This AI method requires only a small amount of DNA for cancer detection and costs around $39 per test, compared to $780 for conventional tests.

Currently, scientists at the A*STAR GIS, along with a research team from the National Cancer Centre, Singapore have been conducting trial runs using Fragle on 100 cancer patients. Researchers hope this technology can soon be adopted for routine cancer screening, improving patient care and outcomes worldwide.

Source: Inside Precision Medicine