Artificial intelligence used to predict how cancers will evolve and spread

Scientists have used artificial intelligence to predict how cancers will progress and evolve, which could help doctors design the most effective treatment for each patient. A team led by the Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR) and the University of Edinburgh developed a new technique known as Revolver (Repeated evolution of cancer), which picks out patterns in DNA mutation within cancers and uses the information to forecast future genetic changes. They said the ever-changing nature of tumours is one of the biggest challenges of treatment – with cancers often evolving to a drug-resistant form. Parents think children should be taught signs of cancer, poll finds'Exciting' cancer drug combination shrinks tumours and stops growth Parental cancer has lifetime impact on children's education and earnin Vaping causes DNA mutations which could lead to cancer, says study'Exciting' cancer drug combination shrinks tumours and stops growth Parental cancer has lifetime impact on children's education and earnin But if doctors can predict how a tumour will evolve, they could intervene earlier to stop cancer in its tracks before it has had a chance to evolve or develop resistance, increasing the patient's chances of survival. The team also found a link between certain sequences of repeated tumour mutations and survival outcome.