Researchers introduced an AI-guided method at the SNIS 23rd Annual Meeting to enhance precision in delivering experimental treatments to malignant brain tumours.
The approach uses AI to identify all the blood vessels feeding a tumour, allowing physicians to deliver therapy to more of the tumour while reducing off-target delivery.
Intra-arterial therapy is a minimally invasive procedure, in which a catheter delivers medication directly through an artery. This allows for highly targeted dosing, minimising side effects on the rest of the body.
Traditionally, surgeons have delivered these therapies through a single artery, but because many tumours receive blood from multiple vessels, a single-artery approach may result in incomplete tumour coverage.
In the study, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre developed a new AI-assisted technique that identifies tumour-feeding arterial pedicles before delivering treatment. After confirming the AI findings with advanced imaging, the physicians then delivered a specific amount of therapy, tailored to each artery, based on the amount of blood each vessel supplied.
Three patients with malignant brain tumours underwent treatment using this approach.
The AI-assisted mapping successfully identified multiple tumour-feeding arteries in every patient, allowing physicians to treat all tumour-feeding pedicles.
The multi-pedicle approach covered more than 85% of each tumour in all cases, compared to less than 65% coverage with single-pedicle proximal infusion.
By creating a patient-specific map of the tumour’s blood supply, the physicians delivered therapy more precisely to the areas that needed it, reducing delivery outside of the intended treatment area. Researchers also found the procedure could be safely repeated two weeks later.
Christopher Young, the study’s primary author, said: ‘One of the biggest challenges in treating malignant brain tumours is that every patient’s anatomy is different. AI gives us another tool to personalise treatment based on each patient’s unique blood supply, with the goal of delivering therapy more precisely. While more research is needed, this approach has the potential to improve patient care and marks an exciting advancement in neuro-interventional oncology.’
