ASU Researchers Create AI-based Tool Enabling Personalized Cancer Treatments
In the ongoing battle against cancer, scientists worldwide are exploring innovative approaches to unravel the complexities of the human immune system, a vital defense mechanism against diseases. A team at Arizona State University has developed a groundbreaking artificial intelligence-based tool named HLA-Inception to delve deeper into how an individual’s immune system reacts to foreign cells.
This AI tool focuses on Major Histocompatibility Complex-1 (MHC-1) proteins, which play a crucial role in alerting the immune system to potential threats. Through rapid classification and prediction capabilities, HLA-Inception can now identify an individual’s unique MHC-1 proteins and assess how their immune defenses may respond to viruses and cancers.
Lead researcher Abhishek Singharoy, from ASU’s School of Molecular Sciences, highlighted the tool’s ability to predict patient outcomes, such as survival rates with certain cancer treatments, based on molecular details present from birth. The tool’s swift analysis has transformed a process that once took days into a matter of seconds.
Published in the journal of Cell Systems on March 29, the study emphasizes the significance of personalized molecular interactions in developing tailored cancer treatments for patients. By analyzing thousands of MHC-1 complexes, the research team identified predictive patterns that can enhance our understanding of immune responses across diverse human populations.
Powered by AI and machine learning, HLA-Inception leverages surface protein charges, known as electrostatic signatures, to categorize proteins into distinct classes. This information enables predictions on the nature of protein fragments monitored by MHC-1, distinguishing between self and foreign invaders with precision.
Researchers discovered a correlation between patient survival with certain cancer therapies and the diversity of MHC-1 proteins, emphasizing the potential for tailored treatment approaches. By integrating machine learning in healthcare, this tool aims to streamline treatment decisions and broaden access to innovative therapies for patients.
The ASU team has made HLA-Inception freely available for academic use, promoting collaboration and innovation in immunotherapy research. Co-author Karen Anderson, a professor in ASU’s School of Life Sciences, expressed excitement for developing precise cancer vaccines and immunotherapies based on individual MHC molecules.
With a focus on precision medicine, these advancements have significant implications for personalized healthcare and the future of cancer treatment. Singharoy, also a researcher with the ASU Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery, envisions this research transforming patient care and revolutionizing treatment strategies for various diseases.
