AI in cancer research & care: perspectives of three KU Leuven institutes

In 2021, cancer was the second leading cause of death in the European Union. Notably, while Europe constitutes only a tenth of the global population, it accounts for almost a quarter of the world's cancer cases, bearing an economic impact of approximately 100 billion annually. Belgian statistics further highlight that every step forward in cancer treatment and care could significantly alleviate the immense personal and societal burden. Globally, extensive efforts are made through a variety of innovative approaches with the ultimate objectives of better prevention, earlier detection, and improved patient outcomes and care. Personalized medicine is considered the holy grail of cancer care in most of these initiatives. Tailoring interventions to the unique characteristics of individual patients promises to revolutionize cancer care. Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in this transformative journey towards precision medicine, aiding researchers and healthcare professionals in accurately predicting cancer risks, enabling earlier diagnoses, and customizing treatment plans to meet individual needs.