DOST, UP Manila eye development of AI-driven cancer detection tool

Recognizing that cancer is the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the country, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) and University of the Philippines (UP) Manila are developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven detection system.

The "Early CANcer Detection in the LivEr of Filipinos with Chronic Hepatitis B Using AI-Driven Integration of Clinical and Genomic Biomarkers" or CANDLE Study implemented by UP Manila is a detection system for the early diagnosis of liver cancer among chronic hepatitis B cases.

"This is actually the first of three omics programs and is now in its final year of implementation. This is actively establishing a clinical and genomic profile of the Filipino population for early detection of liver cancer," DOST Secretary Fortunato "Boy" dela Pena said in a taped report.

"To date, the project is nearing the completion of the recruitment of 800 patients through the efforts of partner hospitals across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao," de la Pena added.

The DOST Secretary said the whole genome genotyping of patient samples will commence through the Philippine Genomic Center, while the phenotypic evaluation, such as biomarker assay and ultrasound imaging, is ongoing.

CANDLE Study is also expected to produce a clinically-useful scoring system for liver cancer diagnosis which will be used by clinicians in taking care of patients.

According to DOST, clinicians are seen to benefit from having a reliable scoring system that will enable them to decide on how often diagnostic tests should be done.

The project is also seen to accelerate medical research, as well as to produce a more enhanced, comprehensive, and accurate cancer diagnosis and prognosis.