A new AI tool developed by scientists from the US, UK, and Switzerland could help doctors better treat men with high-risk prostate cancer. The tool identifies patients who will benefit most from abiraterone, a drug that can reduce the risk of death by half in some cases. The announcement was made during the annual conference of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men across more than 100 countries. The AI tool was created to help more patients receive the right treatment while avoiding unnecessary drugs and side effects. Doctors say this new method could lead to more personalized care and improve outcomes for thousands of men.
The research team tested the AI tool on over 1,000 men with high-risk prostate cancer that had not yet spread. By scanning biopsy images, the AI found patterns too subtle for the human eye. It then sorted the patients into two groups: those likely to benefit greatly from abiraterone, and those who would not.
The results were clear. Among men marked by the AI as likely to respond well, abiraterone reduced the five-year risk of death from 17% to 9%. For those not marked as high responders, the risk dropped only slightly, from 7% to 4%, which doctors say is not a large enough change to justify giving them the drug.
Professor Nick James from the Institute of Cancer Research helped lead the project. He also works with patients at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. “Abiraterone already helps many men with advanced prostate cancer,” he said. “But now we can see it offers amazing results for some men whose cancer hasn’t yet spread.”
Professor Gert Attard from the UCL Cancer Institute, another leader of the study, explained the practical use of the tool. “It uses biopsy slides that hospitals already have,” he said. “It lets us match the right treatment to each patient.”
This new method could change how the drug is given. Currently, in England, the NHS funds abiraterone only for men with advanced prostate cancer. In Scotland and Wales, men with high-risk, non-spread cancer already receive the drug. Based on the new data, experts say access in England should be expanded.
Professor James added that fewer men may need the drug than previously believed, but those who do benefit from it will benefit a lot. “And it’s not a costly drug,” he said. “Abiraterone only costs £77 per pack. Other cancer drugs can cost thousands.”
Experts are urging quick action based on the study. Dr Matthew Hobbs from Prostate Cancer UK said the findings are “very exciting” and called on the NHS to respond. “Now that we know exactly who benefits, we must give them access,” he said.
A spokesperson from the NHS responded to the new results. They said that abiraterone continues to be available for men with advanced cancer and that the NHS is reviewing the latest evidence. Expanding access remains a key goal, they added.
This discovery shows how AI is changing the way cancer is treated. By looking at what can’t be seen by the human eye, doctors can now choose better options for each patient. That means fewer side effects, more successful outcomes, and better use of healthcare funds.