Role of artificial intelligence in risk prediction, prognostication, and therapy response assessment in colorectal cancer: current state and future directions

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that utilizes optimization, probabilistic and statistical approaches to analyze and make predictions based on a vast amount of data. In recent years, AI has revolutionized the field of oncology and spearheaded novel approaches in the management of various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Notably, the applications of AI to diagnose, prognosticate, and predict response to therapy in CRC, is gaining traction and proving to be promising. There have also been several advancements in AI technologies to help predict metastases in CRC and in Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) Systems to improve miss rates for colorectal neoplasia. This article provides a comprehensive review of the role of AI in predicting risk, prognosis, and response to therapies among patients with CRC.

Artificial intelligence (AI) in the management of colorectal cancer: on the horizon?

“…In the era of personalized medicine, an ever increasing emphasis is being placed on prognostication and prediction of surgical outcomes and treatment responses in colorectal cancer (CRC) 1 …”

“…The combination of histopathological outcomes with MRI and CT imaging shows promise. It allows models to predict a complete pathological response in rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy and the identification of systemic therapy responders with metastatic CRC 1 …”

“…In the era of personalized medicine, an ever increasing emphasis is being placed on prognostication and prediction of surgical outcomes and treatment responses in colorectal cancer (CRC). 1 Recent advances in information technology have allowed AI integration into clinical practice. Machine learning (ML) is a subfield of AI in which algorithms iteratively 'learn' from data to make predictions based on discerned patterns, without being explicitly programmed to do so.…”

“…Within Radiomics, AI is making an impact in CRC staging. 1 DL platforms have demonstrated the ability to distinguish between T2 and T3 rectal cancer on MRI with 90% accuracy, 3 and to detect lymph node disease with a higher accuracy than radiologists. 4 The combination of histopathological outcomes with MRI and CT imaging shows promise.…”

“…It allows models to predict a complete pathological response in rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy and the identification of systemic therapy responders with metastatic CRC. 1 Colonoscopy is an area in which AI is already being used. AI algorithms designed to aid polyp detection have been shown to increase adenoma detection rates, even amongst experienced endoscopists, 5 thus providing a cost effective method of reducing CRC during population screening.…”