Researchers at Newcastle University, UK, have developed an artificial intelligence-based tool, DeepMerkel, that predicts the severity and progression of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare but aggressive skin cancer. This web-based system leverages machine learning to generate personalized treatment predictions, enabling doctors and patients to make more informed decisions.
Personalizing Cancer Treatment
DeepMerkel integrates clinical data and tumor-specific characteristics to provide individualized survival predictions and optimize treatment pathways. The tool’s ability to identify high-risk patients earlier in their disease progression allows for more precise treatment planning, potentially improving patient outcomes.
“DeepMerkel enables us to personalize treatment by identifying subtle patterns in the data, offering accurate predictions on an individual level,” said Dr. Tom Andrew, a plastic surgeon and Ph.D. student at Newcastle University.
The need for such advancements is pressing, as MCC diagnoses have doubled over two decades, particularly affecting older adults with weakened immune systems.
Advanced AI for Precision Prognosis
Using data from nearly 11,000 patients across two countries, the researchers employed machine learning techniques, including deep learning and a modified XGBoost framework, to develop the system. Detailed in publications in npj Digital Medicine and the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, DeepMerkel’s explainability analysis provided new insights into the risk factors for MCC-related mortality.
Dr. Aidan Rose, senior clinical lecturer at Newcastle University, emphasized the importance of accurate predictions in guiding treatment for aggressive cancers, noting that DeepMerkel supports challenging decisions in a complex patient group.
Improving Patient Choices
DeepMerkel empowers patients to participate more actively in their care by providing detailed prognostic information. The system informs medical teams about when to consider radical treatment options or intensive monitoring.
As reported by medicalxpress, the research team aims to integrate DeepMerkel into routine clinical practice and expand its application to other aggressive tumor types.
“With further investment, we plan to enhance DeepMerkel to assist clinicians in determining the best treatment pathways,” said Dr. Andrew.
A New Era in Skin Cancer Care
DeepMerkel represents a significant step toward precision oncology, combining AI innovation with clinical expertise to improve outcomes for patients with MCC and other challenging cancers.