{"id":9003,"date":"2023-06-15T15:52:13","date_gmt":"2023-06-15T15:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/?p=9003"},"modified":"2023-06-19T07:44:15","modified_gmt":"2023-06-19T07:44:15","slug":"digital-health-the-next-frontier-in-the-global-fight-against-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/oncology\/digital-health-the-next-frontier-in-the-global-fight-against-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital health: the next frontier in the global fight against cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;color:#32373c\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-profile-box round ab-has-avatar ab-font-size-14 ab-block-profile ab-profile-columns\"><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-avatar-wrap\"><div class=\"ab-profile-image-wrap\"><figure class=\"ab-profile-image-square\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" class=\"ab-profile-avatar wp-image-9004\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210321\/Antonio-Spina-High-res-headshot.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210321\/Antonio-Spina-High-res-headshot.jpg 400w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210321\/Antonio-Spina-High-res-headshot-125x125.jpg 125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-content-wrap\"><h2 class=\"ab-profile-name\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Antonio Spina<\/h2><p class=\"ab-profile-title\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Lead, Digital Health, World Economic Forum<\/p><div class=\"ab-profile-text\"><\/div><ul class=\"ab-social-links\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/cancer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one in six deaths still caused by cancer<\/a>, experts are searching for new digital health innovations that could one day turn the tide in the fight against it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Many notable innovations have recently emerged in oncology, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uclahealth.org\/news\/car-t-cell-therapy-changes-dynamic-fight-against-some-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CAR-T cell therapy<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/magazine\/article\/how-liquid-biopsies-have-made-it-easier-to-treat-cancer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">liquid biopsies<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/health-shots\/2022\/12\/13\/1140384354\/crispr-improves-cancer-immunotherapy-car-t-cell\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CRISPR-based treatment<\/a> \u2014 most stemming from biological science fields such as genomics, pathology and immunology.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the rapid rise of digital and data-driven technology in healthcare \u2014 such as artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT) and robotics \u2014 could offer unprecedented potential in the fight against cancer. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-digital-health-computing-cancer-cures\"><strong>Digital health computing cancer cures <\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The rise of computational tools has unlocked new approaches to treatments. In particular, AI and machine learning hold the potential to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.technologyreview.com\/2023\/02\/15\/1067904\/ai-automation-drug-development\/%22%20HYPERLINK%20%22https:\/\/www.technologyreview.com\/2023\/02\/15\/1067904\/ai-automation-drug-development\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">revolutionise <\/a>how drugs are matched to patients, taking personalised cancer care to the next level. Such technologies could also drastically transform the timeline for the development of new drugs, making it a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.utoronto.ca\/news\/researchers-use-ai-powered-database-design-potential-cancer-drug-30-days#:~:text=In%20less%20than%20a%20month,type%20of%20primary%20liver%20cancer.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">matter of months<\/a> rather than years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other frontier tech applications are in the works too; for instance, <a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.clevelandclinic.org\/2023\/03\/20\/cleveland-clinic-and-ibm-unveil-first-quantum-computer-dedicated-to-healthcare-research\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">quantum computing<\/a> could have the potential to rapidly advance drug discovery and clinical trials. New <a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.clevelandclinic.org\/2023\/03\/20\/cleveland-clinic-and-ibm-unveil-first-quantum-computer-dedicated-to-healthcare-research\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">multi-sectoral partnerships<\/a> are being formed around quantum computing in medicine, with oncology as a key focus area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Going beyond the pill: prevention and diagnosis<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond developing and integrating new treatments, AI shows incredible promise to vastly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/agenda\/2023\/01\/ai-impact-on-global-health-davos23\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">improve<\/a> early detection and prevention rates. Missed or incorrect medical diagnoses are a serious concern in healthcare, and oncology is one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hopkinsmedicine.org\/news\/publications\/hopkins_medicine_magazine\/medical_rounds\/fall-2019\/the-big-3-in-diagnostic-errors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">highest-risk<\/a> specialities. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leading research and medical institutions are applying the latest AI advancements to diagnose common cancers, including <a href=\"https:\/\/news.mit.edu\/2023\/ai-model-can-detect-future-lung-cancer-0120\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lung cancer<\/a> via CT scans and <a href=\"https:\/\/newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org\/discussion\/mayo-clinic-healthcare-expert-artificial-intelligence-improves-colonoscopy-accuracy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">colon cancer<\/a> via endoscopy, where algorithms can spot difficult-to-detect cancers more effectively than humans. This technology is still maturing but could soon produce a step change in the percentage of cancers caught early.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, authorities must ensure the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.europarl.europa.eu\/meetdocs\/2014_2019\/plmrep\/COMMITTEES\/BECA\/DV\/2021\/05-27\/BECA_AI_and_cancer_background_note_EN.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">responsible use<\/a> of these new technologies by putting in place appropriate regulatory mechanisms and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/reports\/the-ai-governance-journey-development-and-opportunities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ethical guidelines<\/a>, given potential <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0960977619305648\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">safety concerns<\/a> with automation and security and privacy concerns with patients\u2019 health data.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>New digital technologies may not only <br>transform health outcomes but also <br>support a better patient experience.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Digitising the patient journey <\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>New digital technologies may not only transform health outcomes but also support a better patient experience. A wide variety of established <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelancet.com\/journals\/landig\/article\/PIIS2589-7500(23)00049-3\/fulltext\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">digital tools<\/a>, often including mobile applications and telehealth, have been employed to help patients and families manage some aspects of cancer care from the relative comfort of their homes. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Emerging evidence even suggests that virtual reality could become a potential tool for cancer care across a variety of use cases, including <a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s00520-018-4114-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">patient education<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1002\/jcp.29422\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">anxiety<\/a> management. Some virtual solutions for pain management have already received <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/fda-authorizes-marketing-virtual-reality-system-chronic-pain-reduction\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FDA approval<\/a>, and similar technologies could one day be translated into oncology.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Expanding global access to care for all<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With as many as 70% of cancer deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), it is crucial that these new technologies reach the most vulnerable \u2014 especially as they already have shown great promise in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/agenda\/2022\/11\/the-breakthrough-technologies-transforming-india-s-cancer-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">low-resource settings<\/a> such as rural India. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, some LMICs face various <a href=\"https:\/\/ascopubs.org\/doi\/full\/10.1200\/JGO.2016.007179?cmpid=sk_jgo_jgo_trendmdawareness_site_jgowebsite_all_081720_123120__read\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">roadblocks<\/a> to digital health uptake, such as limited financial resources, inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of skilled healthcare professionals. International funding and support will be key to bridging the technology and health gaps. In total, the World Health Organization has <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.who.int\/iris\/handle\/10665\/330745\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">called for<\/a> at least 140 billion dollars to be invested by 2030 to ensure 90% coverage of cancer services globally. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As digital innovations in the fight against cancer continue to advance, global leaders must take steps to ensure that successful innovations reach those who need them most and that the digital health revolution helps produce a more equitable and sustainable global health system.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With one in six deaths still caused by cancer, experts are searching for new digital health innovations that could one day turn the tide in the fight against it. Many notable innovations have recently emerged in oncology, including CAR-T cell therapy, liquid biopsies and CRISPR-based treatment \u2014 most stemming from biological science fields such as &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/oncology\/digital-health-the-next-frontier-in-the-global-fight-against-cancer\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":9005,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2856],"tags":[5816],"class_list":["post-9003","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-oncology","tag-innovations-in-oncology-q2-2023"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210321\/GettyImages-1349704940-600x400.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210321\/GettyImages-1349704940-600x600.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"henryphillips","author_link":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/author\/henryphillips\/"},"vicky_index_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9003","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9003"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9003\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9095,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9003\/revisions\/9095"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9005"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9003"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9003"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9003"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}