Utilising Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Imaging To Improve Patient Outcomes
Bonn-Melbourne Research Excellence Fund (2023-2024)
Abstract
Cachexia is a devastating tumour-induced wasting disease affecting 30% of all cancerpatients. This initiative brings together clinical, computational (artifi cial intelligence),and laboratory research partners to work on the delivery of improved outcomes forpatients with cancer cachexia. Aims of the collaboration: Funding will provideopportunities to broaden digital research links and submit joint grant and conjoint PhDproposals.
Long-term objectives:
- Developing non-invasive screening tools for cancercachexia, using AI-assisted imaging analysis approaches.
- Developing a greaterunderstanding of molecular processes of cancer cachexia using animal models andpatient samples.
- Increase knowledge and awareness about cachexia througheducational events for clinicians, patients and families on cachexia diagnosis andtreatment.
This multidisciplinary and diverse initiative builds on the expertise andexisting collaborations between researchers/clinicians across both universities (Bonn/Melbourne). The group consists of experts in radiology/ image analysis (Ko,Attenberger), computational science /AI (Albarqouni) and cancer biology/ metabolism(Cheng). This team of clinicians and researchers with deep knowledge of the fi eld ofcancer cachexia are ideally placed to educate clinicians, patients and families oncachexia and increase its awareness in the general community.
Partners:
- The Sir Peter MacCallum Dept of Oncology, Australia
- Albarqouni Lab, Germany
Outcomes
This collaboration was supported by institutional funding to foster international exchange at the intersection of artificial intelligence, cancer imaging, and translational oncology. Core outcomes included two jointly organized international workshops held in Bonn and Melbourne, reciprocal research visits, and the identification of shared research directions. The collaboration further supported concrete synergies in ongoing projects, including pancreatic cancer staging and multiparametric prostate MRI.
Perspective
The project established a durable international partnership between the University of Bonn and the University of Melbourne, providing a platform for continued joint research, doctoral training, and future collaborative funding applications.
