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Decoding cancer with artificial intelligence: Transforming research, diagnosis, and therapy with future insights.

Cancer remains one of the leading global health burdens, with increasing complexity in genomic, imaging, and clinical datasets presenting significant challenges for effective management. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool to address these challenges by enabling pattern recognition, knowledge integration, and data-driven decision-making. This review highlights recent advances in the application of AI across cancer research, diagnosis, and therapy. In research, AI accelerates drug discovery and repurposing, enhances genomic data interpretation, and facilitates biomarker identification through multi-omics integration. In diagnosis, AI has demonstrated high technical performance in radiology for lesion detection and image segmentation, in pathology for tumour grading and molecular prediction, and in liquid biopsy for non-invasive biomarker analysis. In therapy, AI supports precision medicine by predicting treatment responses, monitoring disease progression, and optimizing clinical trial design. Despite these advances, barriers such as data heterogeneity, algorithmic bias, interpretability, and regulatory challenges remain. Future directions, including explainable AI, federated learning, multimodal modelling, and digital twins, hold promise for translating AI-driven innovations into routine oncology practice. Significance Statement This review provides a timely synthesis of recent (2020-2025) advances in artificial intelligence across cancer research, diagnosis, and therapy, highlighting applications in drug discovery, genomics, multi-omics biomarker identification, and clinical decision-making. By integrating technological progress with translational and clinical relevance, this work serves as a valuable resource for bridging AI innovation with precision oncology practice. As a narrative review, the literature was identified through targeted PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar searches, combining terms for artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning with cancer-related keywords, with priority given to peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025, seminal earlier works, and official regulatory or guideline documents. Within each domain, representative studies were selected to illustrate methodological diversity, clinical context, and current translational readiness rather than to provide exhaustive coverage of an extremely rapidly evolving field.

Artificial intelligence↗

Gene regulation technologies for gene and cell therapy.

Gene therapy stands at the forefront of medical innovation, offering unique potential to treat the underlying causes of genetic disorders and broadly enable regenerative medicine. However, unregulated production of therapeutic genes can lead to decreased clinical utility due to various complications. Thus, many technologies for controlled gene expression are under development, including regulated transgenes, modulation of endogenous genes to leverage native biological regulation, mapping and repurposing of transcriptional regulatory networks, and engineered systems that dynamically react to cell state changes. Transformative therapies enabled by advances in tissue-specific promoters, inducible systems, and targeted delivery have already entered clinical testing and demonstrated significantly improved specificity and efficacy. This review highlights next-generation technologies under development to expand the reach of gene therapies by enabling precise modulation of gene expression. These technologies, including epigenome editing, antisense oligonucleotides, RNA editing, transcription factor-mediated reprogramming, and synthetic genetic circuits, have the potential to provide powerful control over cellular functions. Despite these remarkable achievements, challenges remain in optimizing delivery, minimizing off-target effects, and addressing regulatory hurdles. However, the ongoing integration of biological insights with engineering innovations promises to expand the potential for gene therapy, offering hope for treating not only rare genetic disorders but also complex multifactorial diseases.

Humans↗

Rheumatoid arthritis: current clinical and research directions.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by synovitis and joint erosions. It affects approximately 1% of the adult population in a female/male ratio ranging from 2:1 to 4:1. RA is an insidious disease, typically having an onset of symmetric joint swelling and reaching a peak incidence in the fourth and fifth decades. Extraarticular manifestations include pulmonary, ocular, and vascular disease. The etiology of RA remains unknown. Attempts to discover infectious causes have proven unsuccessful, although environmental influences may trigger a response leading to the development of this autoimmune disease. Genetic associations have been identified, particularly with the major histocompatibility complex class II antigens. Furthermore, twin studies have shown a 30%-50% concordance rate for monozygotic twins. Approximately 70%-80% of patients with RA have rheumatoid factor present in the blood, although its role remains unclear. Hormonal status may influence RA. The majority of RA patients are women, and in 75% of them, the disease improves during pregnancy. RA has significant financial and social implications associated with treatment costs, lost wages, disability, and increased mortality. Mainstays of medical therapy have included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents, such as prednisone and methotrexate. Recent advances in the treatment of RA include specific inhibitors of cyclooxygenase II, T cells, blood vessels, cytokines (such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] or interleukin-1 [IL-1]), and adhesion molecules. Additional studies are ongoing with combination interventions. It is anticipated that a better understanding of the basic pathophysiologic mechanisms critical in RA pathogenesis will provide more precise and efficacious therapy.

Adult↗

Precise anorectal sphincter dilatation--its role in the therapy of anal fissures.

For the past 20 years, internal anal sphincterotomy has generally been considered to be the standard operation for an anal fissure. We sought an alternative form of treatment because of the wound complications inherent in this operation. Anal dilatation, precisely performed with a Parks' retractor opened to 4.8 cm or with a 40-mm rectosigmoid balloon, has been found to cure successfully the fissure in 93 percent and 94 percent, respectively, of each group and to be associated with fewer complications.

Adult↗

Acute leukemia therapy at a crossroads: from conventional chemotherapy to the era of precision medicine.

Since the discovery of cytotoxic agents in the mid-20th century, acute leukemia has consistently served as a model for oncology research. As the Human Genome Project and subsequent genomic profiling elucidated the landscape of somatic mutations and cytogenetic aberrations driving leukemogenesis, the development of molecularly targeted therapies has dramatically accelerated, yielding significant improvements in patient outcomes. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the emergence of selective inhibitors targeting high-frequency alterations such as FLT3, NPM1, and IDH1/2 has redefined the standard of care, demonstrating superior efficacy when combined with conventional intensive chemotherapy or hypomethylating agents. Simultaneously, for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), in addition to the significant improvements achieved by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for BCR-ABL-positive ALL, the advent of CD19- or CD22-targeted monoclonal antibodies and CAR-T cell therapies has marked an epoch-making milestone, representing a major paradigm shift in the management of relapsed or refractory cases. Bridging these two distinct lineages, menin inhibitors have emerged as a novel class of agents targeting a common pathogenic mechanism in KMT2A-rearranged AML/ALL and NPM1-mutated AML, exhibiting promising antileukemic activity across these subtypes. In this review, we describe the evolution of leukemia therapy-highlighting historical trajectory across AML, APL, and ALL from uniform cytotoxic chemotherapy to molecularly targeted agents, antibody-based therapies, and chemo-free paradigms, while outlining future perspectives for precision hematology.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia↗

Differential NF-kappaB and IkappaB gene expression during development of cardiac allograft rejection versus CD154 monoclonal antibody-induced tolerance.

BACKGROUND: The Rel/NF-kappaB transcription factor pathway, regulated by IkappaB proteins, is considered central to immune responses, although there are surprisingly few in vivo data concerning alloresponses. METHODS: We undertook analysis of NF-kappaB and IkappaB mRNA intracardiac allograft expression, and NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, during acute rejection versus CD154 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-induced tolerance induction in fully MHC-disparate mice. RESULTS: Intragraft expression of all nine NF-kappaB and IkappaB genes increased during development of rejection, and nuclear translocation of p50, p52, and p65 was detected. CD154 mAb therapy decreased mRNA levels of all nine NF-kappaB and IkappaB genes, and impaired nuclear translocation of p50, p52, and p65 NF-kappaB proteins. However, prolonged survival could not be induced by CD154 mAb in p50- or p52-deficient allograft recipients, indicating an absolute requirement for expression of these genes in CD154 mAb-induced tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, whereas blanket approaches to NF-kappaB suppression are unlikely to be effective strategies for tolerance induction, a better understanding of the roles of individual NF-kappaB and IkappaB genes may allow development of more precise and effective therapies.

Animals↗

Cardiovascular proteomics: tools to develop novel biomarkers and potential applications.

Proteomics is the new systems biological approach to the study of proteins and protein variation on a large scale as a result of biological processes and perturbations. The field is undergoing a dramatic transformation, owing to the completion and annotation of the human genome as well as technological advances to study proteins on a large scale. The new science of proteomics can potentially yield novel biomarkers reflecting cardiovascular disease, establish earlier detection strategies, and monitor responses to therapy. Technological advances permit the unprecedented large-scale identification of peptide sequences in a biological sample with mass spectrometry, whereas gel-based techniques provide further refinement on the status of post-translational modification. The application of high throughput protein evaluation with a subset of predefined targets, identified through proteomics, microarray profiling, and pathway analysis in animal models and human tissues, is gaining momentum in research and clinical applications. Proteomic analysis has provided important insights into ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and cardiovascular pathophysiology. The combination of proteomic biomarkers with clinical phenotypes and genetic haplotype information can lead to a more precise diagnosis and therapy on an individual basis--the fundamental premise of "personalized medicine."

Biomarkers↗

Activity of postoperative carboplatin, etoposide, and high-dose methotrexate in pediatric CNS embryonal tumors: results of a phase II study in newly diagnosed children.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy is used as an alternative to irradiation or to minimize the irradiation exposure among infants with medulloblastoma or other CNS embryonal tumors. Adjuvant chemotherapy is commonly used in older children with high-risk medulloblastoma to improve survival or to allow a reduction in the craniospinal irradiation dose in standard-risk patients. However, optimal multimodality therapy, including the precise role of chemotherapy, has not been defined for these groups of patients. The objective of the present study is to assess the efficacy and toxicity of four postoperative courses of carboplatin, etoposide, and high-dose methotrexate in newly diagnosed children with medulloblastoma or other CNS embryonal tumors. PROCEDURE: Twenty-eight children, aged from 0.3 to 15.9 years (median, 6.2 years) with post-operative measurable residual CNS embryonal tumors were enrolled, comprising medulloblastoma (n = 19), supratentorial PNET (n = 7), and pineoblastoma (n = 2). Post-operative chemotherapy comprised carboplatin 350 mg/m(2) and etoposide 100 mg/m(2) on Days 1 & 2, and methotrexate 8 g/m(2) on Day 3, repeated at 21-28-day intervals for a total of four courses. Therapy following completion of the initial Phase II study was influenced by patient age and investigator preference. RESULTS: The combined complete response rate (CR, 7/19) and partial response rate (PR, 7/19) was 74% in patients with medulloblastoma, 89% for patients with PNET/pineoblastoma (CR, 2/9 and PR, 6/9), and for all patients it was 79%. Patients aged < 3 years at diagnosis had a combined PR and CR rate of 71% compared to 81% in patients aged > 3 years. Treatment was well tolerated although myelosuppression and thrombocytopenia were common. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of carboplatin, etoposide, and high-dose methotrexate is highly active in pediatric patients with CNS embryonal tumors.

Adolescent↗

Technology in radiology: advances in diagnostic imaging & therapeutics.

Nearly 100 years from its birth, radiology continues to grow as though still in adolescence. Although some radiologic technologies have matured more than others, new applications and techniques appear regularly in the literature. Radiology has evolved from purely diagnostic devices to interventional technologies. New contrast agents in MRI, X ray and ultrasound enable physicians to make diagnoses and plan therapies with greater precision than ever before. Techniques are less and less invasive. Advances in computer technology have given supercomputer-like power to high-end nuclear medicine and MRI systems. Imaging systems in most modalities are now designed with upgrades in mind instead of "planned obsolescence." Companies routinely upgrade software and other facets of their products, sometimes at no additional charge to existing customers. Hospitals, radiology groups and imaging centers will face increasing demands to justify what they do according to patient outcomes and management criteria. Did images make the diagnosis or confirm it? Did the images determine optimal treatment strategies or confirm which strategies might be appropriate? Third-party payers, especially the government, will view radiology in those terms. The diagnostic imaging and therapy systems of today require increasingly sophisticated technical support for maintenance and repair. Hospitals, radiology groups and imaging centers will have to determine the most economic and effective ways to guarantee equipment up-time. Borrowing from the automotive industry, some radiology manufacturers have devised transtelephonic software systems to facilitate remote troubleshooting. To ensure their fiscal viability, hospitals continue to acquire new imaging and therapy technologies for competitive and access-to-services reasons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Diagnostic Imaging↗

Molecular targets for anti-angiogenic therapy.

Tumor-induced angiogenic blood vessels (tumor neovasculature) permit tumor survival, growth and metastasis. Compelling evidence supports the notion that the tumor neovasculature expresses specific molecular markers that are absent in the parental quiescent preformed blood vessels and can be exploited for molecular therapeutics. Therefore, the clinical success of selective killing of tumor neovasculature depends upon the identification of antigens that are specifically expressed by the tumor neovasculature, but not by preformed quiescent blood vessels. Many laboratories have identified, discovered and characterized the cellular and molecular components necessary to tumor-induced angiogenesis. This has led to the understanding of requisite interactions between endothelium, angiogenic cytokines, stromal cells, the supporting extracellular matrix molecules and proteases that accompany these processes. Notably, in the last ten years the signaling pathways mediated by angiopoietin, basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor, and in particular how they may promote formation tumor neovasculature, have been investigated in vitro and in vivo expeditiously. An in-depth understanding of tumor neovasculature-specific antigen clearly holds promises in the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat aggressive cancers. A precision-based molecular therapy would be one that destroys the tumor neovasculature selectively, avoids toxicity and leaves parental vessels unharmed.

Angiopoietins↗

Robot-assisted surgery system with kinesthetic feedback.

The better understanding of the systems of the human body and their specific functions has led to minimally invasive and microsurgical procedures being carried out on an ever smaller scale. New therapies will require precision of 10 microm or better, which will only be achievable with robotic teleoperators. Experience with existing robot-assisted surgery systems shows that the human-machine interface is a critical component for acceptance of this technology, but no universally satisfactory interface has yet been found. Therefore, this article investigates a new concept based on kinesthetic motion feedback and presents details of the implementation of a first prototype.

Feedback↗

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: using echocardiography to guide length of therapy.

Echocardiography can help distinguish simple and uncomplicated bacteremias from true cases of infective endocarditis and guide the type and duration of antibiotic therapy in a more precise and cost-effective manner. Empiric long-term antibiotic therapy is no longer uniformly recommended for all cases of S aureus bacteremia, although experts disagree about the optimal length of therapy.

Algorithms↗

Cancer chronotherapy: a drug delivery challenge.

The toxicity and/or efficacy of more than twenty anticancer agents have been shown in various experimental systems to be dependent upon the circadian timing of their bolus administration or the circadian shaping of their continuous infusion. In cancer patients, the toxicity of several single agents, given either as bolus or infusion, and a growing number of drug combinations have been shown to similarly depend upon their timing. While clinical trials currently underway demonstrate that the circadian stage of drug toxicity and dose intensity each depend upon their circadian timing, definitive investigations of whether or not cancer control and patient survival are similarly dependent upon circadian treatment timing are currently under way. Both clinical trials of treatment timing and chronotherapy depend totally upon the development and use of programmable wearable and implantable, single-channel and multi-channel, open and eventually closed loop delivery systems. First generation intelligent delivery systems are currently available, work well, are economical and are destined, for economic reasons, to be more widely used. When used, each system requires temporal input, making it impossible to avoid specification of drug sequence, interval between drugs or treatment cycles and circadian treatment timing. The advent of biological therapy with cytokines and growth factors makes it likely that the precise timing of cancer therapies will be of growing importance.

Animals↗

Monophasic action potential recordings: evaluation of antiarrhythmic drugs.

The use of MAP recording techniques has been said to have bridged the gap between basic in vitro investigation of the transmembrane action potential and observations made in situ from the beating heart. With regard to antiarrhythmic agents, MAP recordings are particularly useful in evaluating drugs which prolong repolarization. The simultaneous measurement of MAP and ERP at the same site permits the comparison of drug effects on repolarization and refractoriness. The ability to safely and reliably record the MAP contributes importantly to the evaluation and classification of antiarrhythmic drug effects in vivo and may ultimately lead to more rational selection of drug therapy for individual patients. Antiarrhythmic drug effects demonstrated with MAP recordings have generally shown good agreement with the Vaughan Williams classification of electrophysiological actions. An important key to drug efficacy may be that some drugs prolong refractoriness beyond their effect on repolarization. Conversely, a potential explanation for proarrhythmia may lie in slowing of conduction without the concomitant protective effect of postrepolarization refractoriness. The phenomenon of use dependence, which has been demonstrated for many drugs, suggests why an agent that prevents induction of arrhythmia during programmed stimulation in the electrophysiology laboratory may not prevent spontaneous arrhythmia initiation at slower heart rates. The paramount task of clinical electrophysiology is the successful treatment of rhythm disturbances. The more detailed and quantitative evaluation of drug effects afforded by MAP recordings may ultimately result in the more effective use of antiarrhythmic drugs in general and to more precise tailoring of therapy for individual patients.

Action Potentials↗

[Three-dimensional planned radiotherapy in rectal cancer. Feasibility study and preliminary clinical results].

PURPOSE: Since 1991 the use of three-dimensional planned radiation therapy for rectal cancer was evaluated as a part of a clinical project funded by the Deutsche Krebshilfe at the Radiological Department of the University of Heidelberg. First clinical experiences are reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 32 patients who were irradiated loco-regional for rectal cancer were analysed retrospectively. Radiation therapy techniques: patient's position was prone by the use of a belly board. Three-dimensional treatment (3D) planning system was voxelplan. The radiation therapy was started using a 3-field-box technique modified by 3D-technique after 22 to 42 Gy, depending on therapeutic concept. RESULTS: On average 92% of the planning target volume were encompassed with the 80% isodose. The average maximum dose was 108% (isocenter = 100%), of the small bowel volume received less than 34% of the dose, 70% of the bladder volume less than 40% respectively. Total average dose was 52.4% Gy. Irregular fields were used in all patients, a non-coplanar field was used to optimize dose-distribution in 41% of the patients, 21 patients received chemotherapy simultaneously. Acute side effects according to gastrointestinal tract reached grade 1 (WHO) in 9 patients, grade 2 in 2 patients. Side effects according to bladder reached grade 1 in 5 patients grade 2 in 1 patient respectively. In 4 patients suffered from acute side effects concerning the bladder. In one patient acute side effects grade 1 concerning gastrointestinal tract was observed. Portal films were analysed to evaluate precision of radiation therapy. On average the error was 3.1/4.5/4.0 mm in the x/y/z direction respectively. The standard deviation was 4.4/6.8/6.3 mm for x/y/z respectively. A median time of 2 hours was necessary for all planning procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional treatment planning optimizes dose-distribution in a relevant number of patients. Its clinical use for treatment of large targets or in order to applicate high doses is justified. Planning target volume should cover the clinical target volume with a margin of 1.5 cm.

Feasibility Studies↗

Experiences with continuous intra-arterial blood gas monitoring.

Management of critically ill patients requires frequent arterial blood gas analyses for assessing the pulmonary situation and adjusting ventilator settings and circulatory therapeutic measures. Continuous arterial blood gas analysis is a real-time monitoring tool, which reliably detects the onset of adverse pulmonary effects. It gives rapid confirmation of ventilator setting changes and resuscitation and helps to ensure precise adjustment of therapy. In this study a newly available fiber optic sensor system has been employed for continuous intraarterial blood gas monitoring. The measurement performance was compared with a bench top blood gas analyzer. A prospective study was performed enrolling 20 patients undergoing surgery. A comparison between intermittent blood gas analyses (ABL Radiometer 610) and the results of continuous blood gas monitoring (Paratrend 7+, Agilent Technol.) was performed by simultaneous measurements. Statistical analysis in agreement with the method of "Bland and Altman" was employed. Two case reports are provided of patients with Acute Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome and rapid changes in ventilator settings. Over a range of arterial oxygenation from 10 to 50 kPa the bias for pO2-measurement was 0.2 (limits of agreement 4), R2 = 0.9. If the arterial pO2 was higher than 50 kPa the bias was -7 (10) kPa. PCO2-measurement showed a bias of 0.25 (limits of agreement 0.45), R2 = 0.7. pH bias was -0.02 (limits of agreement 0.04), R2 = 0.7. The Paratrend 7+ sensor proved to be clinical feasible and showed an improved precision in terms of clinical situations with an arterial pO2 smaller than 50 kPa. However, the results are not much different regarding the findings with older systems consisting of hybrid technology combining optodes and electrochemical oxygen measurement. The advantages might be seen if the sensor is used for a period over several days in patients on ICU as demonstrated by the two case reports.

Adult↗

Pilot point temperature regulation for thermal lesion control during ultrasound thermal therapy.

The fundamental goal of ultrasound thermal therapy is to provide proper thermal lesion formations for effective tumour treatment. The quality of the therapy depends mostly on its positional precision. To date, most ultrasound thermal therapy treatments have focused on the formation of power or temperature patterns. The non-linear and time-delay effects of thermal dose formation prohibit direct control of the thermal dose distribution. In the paper, the control of thermal lesions by regulation of the temperature of a pilot point is proposed. This scheme utilises the high correlation between temperature elevation and thermal dose at the forward boundary of thermal lesions. To verify the feasibility, a 2D ultrasound phased array system was used to generate thermal lesions of various sizes, and the temperature elevation required to generate a thermal dose threshold was investigated. Results showed that the required temperature elevation was found to be a reasonably constant value of 52.5 degrees C under differing conditions when the focal area was small. When the focal area under consideration was large, the required temperature elevation became a monotonic function of blood perfusion rate, ranging from 49.2 to 52.5 degrees C. When the reference temperature of the pilot point was set at a conservative value (52.5 degrees C), the thermal lesions were controlled precisely under a wide range of blood perfusion and power pattern changes, tested by using a more realistic model that takes into account thermal-induced attenuation and blood perfusion changes. This changed the complex thermal dose control problem into a simple temperature regulation problem, which makes implementation of thermal lesion control easier, giving the scheme a high potential for application to current ultrasound thermal therapy systems.

Humans↗

Diversity of the anti-T-cell receptor immune response and its implications for T-cell vaccination therapy of multiple sclerosis.

More precise understanding of the immune response against T-cell receptors (TCRs) is a prerequisite for successful TCR vaccination therapy of multiple sclerosis and other neurological autoimmune diseases. We conducted a detailed analysis of a paradigmatic anti-TCR response, using synthetic TCR peptides and highly purified recombinant TCR V alpha and Vbeta variable chains for the selection of CD4+ T-cell lines from a healthy volunteer. The target TCR (designated TCR(HWBP-3)) was obtained from HWBP-3, an autologous CD4+ T-cell line specific for myelin basic protein. The V alpha and Vbeta chains of TCR(HWBP-3) were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by Ni-chelate chromatography and SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) gel electrophoresis. Further, we synthesized a set of 13- to 22-mer peptides spanning the complementarity-determining regions (CDR) 1, 2 and 3 and the framework regions (FR) of the alpha and beta chains of TCR(HWBP-3). The TCR peptides and proteins were then used to select a panel of TCR-specific CD4+ T-cell lines from donor HW. Several T-cell lines cross-reacted with a recombinant V chain and synthetic peptide. Cross-reactive immunogenic TCR epitopes were identified in the FR1 and CDR3 regions of the TCR(HWBP-3) alpha chain and in the FR1, CDR1 and CDR2 regions of the TCR(HWBP-3) beta chain. The TCR proteins and peptides were recognized in the context of at least three different HLA-DR molecules [DR2a (DRB5*0101), DR2b (DRB1*1501) and DRB1*1401/DRB3*0202]. Notably, the majority of the TCR peptide-selected T-cell lines did not react with the full-length recombinant V chains, suggesting they recognize 'cryptic' determinants. Based on the diversity of the anti-TCR immune response, we suggest that candidate TCR peptides should be screened in vitro in functional experiments before they are clinically applied for TCR vaccination therapy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗