Artificial Intelligence

Researchers: AI Test Predicts Which Men Benefit from Prostate Cancer Drug

Published MAY 31 2025

Story

Above: 3D rendered image of malignant cancer cells. Image credit: koto_feja via Getty Images

The Facts

Researchers from the U.S., U.K., and Switzerland have developed an artificial intelligence tool that may help identify which men with high-risk, non-metastatic prostate cancer are most likely to benefit from abiraterone — a hormone therapy used to improve survival in advanced cases.
guardian
Medical Device Network
Daily Mail
The tool, developed by U.S.-based Artera and tested by teams at the Institute of Cancer Research and University College London, was applied to biopsy samples from more than 1,000 men with high-risk prostate cancer that had not spread.
Medical Device Network
UCL News
By analyzing digital images of tumor biopsies and detecting subtle patterns invisible to the human eye, the AI identified the 25% of men whose tumors had specific biomarker-positive features linked to better responses to abiraterone.
guardian
Medical Device Network
Kosovapress
For biomarker-positive patients, abiraterone reduced the five-year risk of death from 17% to 9%. For biomarker-negative patients, the risk dropped from 7% to 4% with abiraterone — a difference not statistically significant — suggesting they may avoid unnecessary treatment and side effects.
guardian
UCL News
Daily Mail
Professor Gert Attard, co-lead of the trial from the UCL Cancer Institute, noted that the AI tool uses standard pathology slides already collected during routine diagnosis and said the approach can “minimize over-treatment while maximizing the chance of cure.”
guardian
Medical Device Network
Full details of the study and test are being unveiled at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting, the world’s largest cancer conference, taking place in Chicago from May 30 to June 3.
guardian
Medical Device Network
Kosovapress

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

The integration of AI in prostate cancer treatment represents a groundbreaking advancement in precision medicine. This technology can spot anomalies at microscopic scales that humans might miss, leading to earlier detection and more accurate treatment planning. Clinical trials have already shown remarkable success, with patients receiving early treatment based on AI-guided diagnostics achieving cancer-free status.

Mass General Brigham

Narrative B

AI holds great potential to support medical decisions, but it should complement — not replace — human judgment. Physicians must remain responsible for final decisions, using AI as a powerful assistant that helps reduce errors and offers insights. Trust and understanding of AI’s workings are key to safely integrating it into clinical practice.

Sciencedirect