In the fight against pet cancer, AI is playing a key role in early detection and treatment options

AI and Early Tumor Detection

Cancer in pets is often diagnosed through a combination of clinical exams, imaging studies, and biopsy tests. The earlier the disease is detected, the more options veterinarians have for treatment, which can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. However, identifying cancer in pets can be challenging because symptoms often appear in later stages when the cancer has already spread.

AI algorithms, particularly those involving machine learning, are now being trained to detect abnormalities in medical images, which can indicate the presence of tumors even in their earliest, most subtle stages. By analyzing large datasets of medical images, AI systems can learn to recognize patterns and features associated with cancer that might be too subtle for the human eye to detect.

For example, AI-powered software can analyze X-rays for unusual masses or irregularities that may signal a tumor. It can also scrutinize MRIs, CT scans and ultrasounds for internal growths that are hard to distinguish from normal tissue without a detailed comparison to known tumor characteristics. The power of AI lies in its ability to analyze these images quickly, providing veterinarians with a more accurate and timely diagnosis.

‍

How AI Increases Survival Rates

Early detection is paramount when it comes to cancer treatment. The earlier a tumor is found, the more likely it is that the cancer can be treated before it spreads to other parts of the body. This translates directly into improved survival rates and better long-term outcomes for pets.

The precision of AI in detecting tumors at early stages allows veterinarians to intervene sooner, providing a wider array of treatment options that can be tailored to the individual needs of the pet. In some cases, early-stage cancers can be surgically removed with minimal risk of recurrence. In others, less aggressive treatments may be used, which can have fewer side effects and a faster recovery time. By catching cancer in its infancy, AI not only improves survival rates but also enhances the pet’s quality of life during treatment.

ImpriMed’s innovative use of AI is featured in its Personalized Prediction Profile, which includes comprehensive predictive information and AI-based drug responses for canine blood cancers. ImpriMed is the only company in the veterinary space using this technology.

“Our AI models are trained on real-world clinical outcome data to predict which anticancer drugs are most likely to be effective for a particular dog’s lymphoma or leukemia using information about each patient’s live cancer cells, medical history and breed,” says Mary Ocnean, Vice President of Commercial Operations at ImpriMed.

Through ImpriMed’s Personalized Prediction Profile, it’s possible, for example, to foresee the likelihood of whether a dog undergoing chemotherapy for canine multicentric lymphoma will go into complete remission after 1 or 2 cycles of treatment, as well as the likelihood of rapid disease progression after remission.

ImpriMed’s AI tools can also provide veterinary oncologists with personalized single drug response predictions that indicate which drugs are likely to provide effective treatments for a patient's individual cancer.

“Thanks to our ongoing collaboration with the ImpriMed user community, our predictions are generated by cutting-edge artificial intelligence models that have been trained on clinical outcomes and lab testing data from thousands of canine lymphoma cases,” Ocnean said.

‍

The Future of AI in Veterinary Oncology

The future of AI in veterinary medicine hangs on companies like ImpriMed. The idea of AI is still very controversial with many people worried about being replaced by data driven efforts. At ImpriMed we understand the veterinarian’s caring nature and humane approach, which is vital and irreplaceable, but we also need to reinforce that technology is a powerful ally. For pet owners, the integration of AI into veterinary care should be translated into  peace of mind knowing that their pets are receiving the most up-to-date, accurate and timely diagnoses possible. With AI’s help, the fight against cancer in pets is becoming more effective, offering a brighter future for animals and their families.