Phedias Diamandis, MD, PhD, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network

Dr. Phedias Diamandis is using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to train computers to objectively differentiate brain tumor types, an improvement over microscopic analyses by doctors that are somewhat qualitative and prone to interpretive errors. Training involves exposing computers to a large series of images with known clinical outcomes (diagnoses, survival, therapy response) to allow them to “learn” microscopic patterns associated with specific clinical events. Because computers process larger amounts of information than humans, they can find new morphologic predictors of tumour behaviour and treatment response. Such AI-based tools are poised to provide doctors and their patients with more immediate information to guide optimal care. Importantly, these AI tools can be shared over the internet, allowing patients even at remote cancer centers to also benefit from this technology.