In a groundbreaking move to advance cancer treatment, a Victoria-based clinical trial is set to revolutionize the approach to prostate cancer radiation therapy by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI). Spearheaded by Dr. Abe Alexander and Dr. Winkle Kwan of B.C. Cancer Victoria, the ADAPT-25 trial aims to significantly reduce the number of radiation sessions for prostate cancer patients, from five to just two, potentially minimizing side effects and cutting down wait times.
Transforming prostate cancer treatment with AI
The ADAPT-25 trial, an acronym for Artificial Intelligence-Driven Adaptive Prostate Stereotactic Radiation Therapy, emerges as a beacon of hope for approximately 25,000 Canadians diagnosed with prostate cancer annually. This innovative trial is poised to not only streamline treatment but also improve the quality of life for patients by leveraging the precision of AI to target cancer cells more accurately.
Historically, prostate cancer treatment involved 20 to 40 sessions of external-beam radiation, with a norm of 28 sessions in Victoria. However, advancements in technology and the successful outcomes of the ASSERT trial in 2017, which reduced the sessions to five using stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), have paved the way for even further reduction. SABR’s high-intensity doses, aimed with greater accuracy, have demonstrated the potential for fewer treatments with equivalent or reduced side effects.
The next leap: ADAPT-25 clinical trial
Building on the success of prior treatments, the ADAPT-25 trial is embarking on a new phase with the integration of an AI algorithm to enhance precision in targeting the prostate gland. This trial will compare the outcomes of the traditional five fractions versus the innovative two fractions, aiming for a paradigm shift in treatment efficacy and patient experience.
One of the key advancements enabling this leap is the use of real-time advanced imaging technologies. These allow for the tracking of the prostate’s motion during radiation delivery, ensuring that treatment is both effective and minimally invasive to surrounding healthy tissues. The AI algorithm plays a crucial role by analyzing images in ways beyond human capabilities, making instantaneous dose calculations and adjustments based on real-time data.
Implications and future directions
This Victoria-based trial, supported primarily through donor contributions to the B.C. Cancer Foundation, not only holds promise for enhancing patient care but also for reducing the strain on healthcare systems. By potentially cutting treatment sessions by more than half, the ADAPT-25 trial could significantly decrease wait times for cancer treatment, an issue that has prompted the provincial government to seek alternative solutions, including fully paid treatment in Washington for eligible patients.
The initiative reflects a broader trend of utilizing technology to improve healthcare outcomes. As AI continues to make inroads into various medical fields, its application in cancer treatment stands out as a testament to the potential for technology to not just augment but transform patient care.
As the trial is set to commence by the end of the year, it represents a significant step forward in the fight against prostate cancer. With its innovative approach, the ADAPT-25 trial not only aims to improve the treatment process but also embodies the future of cancer care, where technology and healthcare converge to offer patients safer, more efficient, and more effective treatment options.
