Artificial intelligence (AI) may soon be able to detect an aggressive type of breast cancer thanks to pioneering work from the UK.
HER2-low accounts for around 50 per cent of all primary breast cancers affecting UK women each year.
Researchers at King’s College London (KCL) are working with Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals and AI company Owkin to develop the breast cancer diagnosis tool, which could be available on the NHS within three years.
The researchers said:
“Research suggests many more women could benefit from targeted breast cancer treatments – we just need to find them.
“We hope to help thousands more women to benefit from targeted anti-HER2 treatments in the UK every year, with the transformative drugs able to extend and save patients’ lives.”
HER2-low proteins are produced by faulty genes. The new AI models can analyse HER2 levels more quickly and accurately, speeding up and optimising treatment.
The researchers hope to use the tool to diagnose gastric cancer in the future.
A drug under development by AstraZeneca has shown promise as a potential treatment for HER2-low.
Enhertu attaches itself to the proteins and kills cancer cells by delivering antibody drug, deruxtecan.
An AstraZeneca study published in September found that Enhertu reduced the risk of death or progressive disease by 72 per cent compared to a drug already in use.
Enhertu is now approved for use across the UK.
