Artificial intelligence can detect common forms of blood cancer

Artificial intelligence is a much-discussed topic in medicine, especially in the field of diagnostics. Artificial intelligence can detect one of the most common forms of blood cancer - acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with high reliability. Researchers at the DZNE and the University of Bonn have now shown this in a proof-of-concept study. Their approach is based on the analysis of the gene activity of cells found in the blood. Used in practice, this approach could support conventional diagnostics and possibly accelerate the beginning of therapy.

Schultze and his colleagues focused on the "transcriptome," which is a kind of fingerprint of gene activity. In each and every cell, depending on its condition, only certain genes are actually "switched on," which is reflected in their profiles of gene activity.Put into the application, this method could support conventional diagnostics and help save costs.

"In principle, a blood sample taken by the family doctor and sent to a laboratory for analysis could suffice. I guess that the cost would be less than 50 euros. However, we have not yet developed a workable test. We have only shown that the approach works in principle. So we have laid the groundwork for developing a test," stated Schultze, a senior researcher from the University of Bonn.AML is one such life-threatening disease that should be treated as quickly as possible. Possibly, this diagnosis method would help in earlier detection and treatment of the disease.