At the Institute of Pathology of the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), the director of the institute, who is also deputy director of the University Cancer Center there, Prof. Dr. Philipp Ströbel and his team are researching improved diagnostics and therapy of tumor diseases using artificial intelligence (AI). The „Cancer Scout“ research project is led by Siemens Heathineers, who provide AI experts. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is supporting the research project with 9.6 million euros for three years. The scientists‘ main aim is to further research and efficiently improve personalized therapy because 500,000 people in Germany are diagnosed with cancer every year. These can be treated individually with highly effective drugs if drugs can work according to the so-called key-lock principle. However, every tumour has different characteristics on its surface that need to be identified, because then the right key-lock combination can lead to rapid healing success. However, the tests are time-consuming and cost-intensive. The pathologists who are looking for suitable and effective drugs in Germany must speed up their search. The BMBF believes that research funds can be used to combine molecular testing and AI in order to be able to better treat tumour diseases. According to the BMBF, the research projects will include „digital biopsy“, which could predict molecular changes in the tumour with the help of AI, which could lead to a shortened treatment period of the individual’s cancer.
