How AI Boosts Survival Predictions for Bladder Cancer Patients

FEATURED RESEARCH

How AI Boosts Survival Predictions for Bladder Cancer Patients

Researchers have developed a deep learning system that’s making survival predictions for bladder cancer patients more accurate. This AI tool analyzes histological slides to better assess overall survival (OS) risk, offering valuable insights for treatment planning.

What’s new? The system uses two networks—MacroVisionNet and UniVisionNet—to examine tissue patterns in bladder cancer.

In a study of over 1,100 patients, these networks outperformed traditional methods, with UniVisionNet achieving a C-index as high as 0.853. Hazard ratios for high-risk patients ranged from 2.13 to 5.06, indicating a much higher likelihood of poor outcomes compared to low-risk patients.

Why it matters: Bladder cancer survival rates remain low, particularly for muscle-invasive cases, where five-year survival rates can drop to around 50%.

Existing methods like the TNM staging system often miss important tumor characteristics.

This AI system captures both broad tissue patterns and detailed tumor features, leading to more precise risk stratification and better-informed treatment decisions.

For more details: Full Article

Brain Booster

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Funds Raised

💰 10 Funded companies

1. Terray Therapeutics raised $120M in a series B round, led by Bedford Ridge Capital and NVIDIA’s NVentures, to advance immunology programs and enhance its AI-driven drug development platform, tNova. [Link]

2. Ceribell raised $180.3M in an upsized IPO to support its EEG technology for detecting seizures, with plans to expand into delirium and stroke detection. [Link]

3. Parakeet Health raised $3M in seed funding, led by Canvas Ventures, to expand its AI-powered call center for healthcare, improving patient communication and reducing staffing burdens. [Link]

4. MDisrupt secured $1M from American Heart Association Ventures to expand its AI-powered expert marketplace, connecting healthcare companies with specialized professionals to accelerate innovation and improve patient outcomes. [Link]

5. Horizon Surgical Systems, a micro-robotics company specializing in AI-enabled microsurgery, raised $30M in a Series A round led by ExSight Ventures and others to advance its technology and human trials. [Link]

6. Antiverse raised $4.6M in seed funding, led by i&i Biotech Fund and Kadmos Capital, bringing total funding to $10.1M to advance its AI-driven antibody design platform for challenging drug targets like GPCRs and ion channels. [Link]

7. Healthie raised $23M in Series B funding, led by TCV, to expand its EHR platform and integrate AI solutions for improved clinical workflows. [Link]

8. Nuclera raised $75M in a Series C round led by Elevage Medical Technologies to commercialize its eProtein Discovery platform, accelerating protein expression and purification for drug discovery. [Link]

9. Ikerian raised $8M in Series B funding, led by Sanoptis, to expand its AI-driven RetinAI Discovery platform and enhance patient data management in ophthalmology. [Link]

10. Shift Bioscience raised $16M in Seed funding led by BGF to advance its AI-powered cell simulation platform for identifying safe rejuvenation genes, aimed at developing therapeutics for age-related diseases. [Link]

New Partnerships

🤝 3 Other collaborations shaping the future

1. Tanner Health partnered with Corti to implement AI-driven medical coding, aiming to reduce administrative burdens by 80%, improve billing accuracy, and enhance patient outcomes across its healthcare operations. [Link]

2. Abridge and Wolters Kluwer partnered to integrate UpToDate into Abridge’s AI documentation platform, enhancing clinical workflows with real-time evidence-based insights. [Link]

3. Firefly Neuroscience is collaborating with Bright Minds Biosciences to analyze Phase 1 study data using its FDA-cleared AI-based BNA™ technology, demonstrating positive results in EEG data and advancing the development of Bright Minds' lead compound, BMB-101. [Link]

Milestone Moments

⚡3 Product launches, 5 regulatory approvals

1. Microsoft launched new AI tools for healthcare, including imaging models and workflow solutions, in partnership with Epic to streamline care and documentation. [Link]

2. Luma Health launched Spark AI, a generative AI engine integrated into its Patient Success Platform™, automating 95% of call center tasks and streamlining fax processing to improve patient access and reduce administrative burdens. [Link]

3. Medicare has approved coverage for Cleerly’s AI-powered heart scans, expanding access to its diagnostic technology for 34 million beneficiaries at risk of heart attacks starting November 2024. [Link]

4. GE HealthCare launched the Versana Premier™ AI ultrasound system, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and clinician efficiency with advanced imaging and automated tools. [Link]

5. Indonesia's Ministry of Health approved Acer Medical's AI-powered VeriOsteo OP software to screen for osteoporosis, potentially benefiting 16 million at-risk elderly Indonesians. [Link]

6. iCardio.ai received FDA 510(k) clearance for its AI-powered echocardiography software, which automates preliminary reporting and aids in detecting valvular heart disease. [Link]

7. Springbok Analytics received FDA 510(k) clearance for MuscleView, its AI-powered technology that analyzes MRI data to create 3D visualizations of muscle health, supporting applications in sports medicine, orthopedics, and therapy. [Link]

8. Bracco Diagnostics and Subtle Medical received FDA clearance for AiMIFY™, an AI-powered software that enhances brain MRI scans, improving lesion detection by amplifying contrast images. [Link]

Opinion and Perspectives

AI IN HEALTHCARE

Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris: Who Will Shape the Future of AI?

With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, questions are emerging about the future of AI regulation.

Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have voiced support for AI innovation, but their approaches to regulation could differ significantly.

Trump’s likely AI path: If Trump wins, experts predict he will repeal President Biden’s 2023 AI Executive Order, arguing that it stifles innovation. Instead, Trump’s platform would likely push for policies that prioritize free speech and human flourishing.

His ties to Silicon Valley and a focus on deregulation suggest his administration would ease restrictions to allow tech companies more freedom in AI development.

Harris’ approach to AI: On the other hand, Harris, who has been deeply involved in AI policy under the Biden administration, is expected to continue along similar lines.

The FAVES framework—focused on fairness, appropriateness, validity, effectiveness, and safety—has been central to her work.

She’s helped secure voluntary AI safety commitments from tech giants like Amazon and Google, signaling a balanced approach that supports innovation while addressing risks.

What to expect: The key difference between the two candidates will likely lie in the leaders they appoint to agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services.

Whether it’s Trump or Harris, the healthcare industry will need to stay alert as AI regulations evolve in the next administration.

For more details: Full Article

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Trivia Answer: B. They hold a type of "funeral"

Crows have been observed gathering around their dead in what appears to be a form of "funeral." It's believed they do this to understand the cause of death and warn the rest of the flock about potential dangers. A little eerie for the spooky October season!

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