The use of artificial intelligence in scientific research: the GastroPerMe project
“Scientific research saves lives”: it seems a cliché, but we often forget the true importance of research, especially in the medical field. Every day, every hour, a scientific discovery takes place in the world, thanks to the tenacity and perseverance of researchers and dedicated investments in a sector, that of research, which is often overshadowed.
Despite the enormous difficulties of our country, we have excellences in the research field. One of these is the “IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital” in Milan, which recently launched a clinical and research program, aiming to investigate various aspects of hereditary gastrointestinal tumor syndromes: from genetic and non-genetic risk factors (diet, obesity, alcohol, physical activity), the early diagnosis of tumors up to the customization of treatment.
The purpose of the “GastroPerMe” program is to rapidly discern hereditary tumors from sporadic tumors, so as to plan the most appropriate clinical path and any genetic tests, laboratory, endoscopic or radiological tests needed. Thanks to the collaboration between different specialists (such as gastroenterologists, geneticists, surgeons, oncologists, gynecologists, urologists and radiologists) it is possible to offer a customized multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of the patient and its family.
Currently, there are ongoing research programs dedicated to Lynch Syndrome (a hereditary disease characterized by the increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer and other types of cancer), juvenile colorectal cancers (with outbreak before the age of 50) and familiar and hereditary pancreatic cancer.
In particular, in the research project dedicated to Lynch Syndrome, a key role is played by the early diagnosis through enteroscopy by video capsule and the use of artificial intelligence to identify first signs of colorectal cancer during colonoscopy.
At Euromedical, we have always been alongside doctors and researchers. We are convinced that the use of artificial intelligence in the diagnostic field will be fundamental in the fight against cancer; complemented by the increasingly international approach of research projects with the establishment of national surveillance registers (as already in place for pancreatic cancer and other types of neoplasms) and sharing of data with institutes and foundations all over the world.