Fighting Cancer with Digital Twins and AI

Original Article: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/building-ai-army-digital-twins-fight-cancer-2024a1000khq

What Are Digital Twins?

Digital twins are advanced computer programs that simulate a real person using detailed data, such as genetics, cancer type, and treatment history. These virtual copies can predict disease progression, test treatments, and help doctors make personalized decisions quickly and accurately helping to reduce the risk to patients. It is important to note that digital twins are designed to support, not replace, doctors and clinical trials.

Using Digital Twins to Guide Cancer Treatment

Currently being tested in the UK, digital twins predict outcomes including the tumor response to chemotherapy as well as survival rates. Early results show the models are about 80-90% accurate in their predictions. Researchers aim to integrate these tools into clinical trials to prove their effectiveness in real-world treatment planning.

Beyond Cancer: The Future of Digital Twins

The potential for digital twins goes beyond cancer. They could simulate treatment effects for other diseases, consider patients’ quality of life, and adjust plans based on wearable device data like glucose monitors. By quickly analyzing large datasets, digital twins could save time and resources in clinical research, offering hope for more efficient and personalized medicine.