Filipino students develop AI-based app to detect colorectal cancer risk

Manila: Medical students from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) have developed an AI-powered application (app) that helps clinicians assess an individual’s risk for colorectal cancer through a blood test.

The students, Aamer Sultan and Austin De Asa, are spearheading the initiative to create a less invasive alternative to traditional colonoscopy.

“Many patients fear undergoing colonoscopy. Our app aims to predict the probability of colorectal cancer based on molecular results,” explained Dr. Pia Albano, project leader from the UST College of Science.

The innovation was featured on Monday on “Game Changer” in 24 Oras, a segement aired by Manila-based GMA Network.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer type worldwide. 

In 2022, more than 1.9 million cases were diagnosed. Colorectal cancer is the second most-common cause of cancer death, leading to more than 900,000 deaths per year.

In the Philippines, it ranked fourth among cancer-related deaths in 2022.

The study focuses on six microRNAs (miRNA) that were identified as potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer in Filipino patients.

“When a person has cancer, certain miRNA levels increase while others decrease,” explained Sultan.

“Fortunately, previous research has already collected substantial clinical trial data. Our role was to integrate and train the AI model,” added De Asa.

The project won the BPI Innovation Awards in 2022. Now, the research team aims to expand testing across multiple regions to enhance accuracy and reliability. 

In 2016, UST researchers won the 2016 International Innovation Grant by the Conquer Cancer Foundation of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) International for their mobile-based cancer monitoring mobile app named iComPass (internet-based Computerized Patient Assessment System) for use in iOS and Android mobile phone.