AI tool helps predict risk of breast cancer recurrence 5 or more years after treatment

• Researchers have developed a new AI tool called IICM+ to help predict distant breast cancer recurrence.
• The tool is designed to more accurately predict recurrence after 5 years than the existing 21-gene Recurrence Score test.
• Experts advise that the tool requires validation in larger, more diverse patient populations before it is ready for clinical use.

Hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2–) breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer.

Over half of distant recurrence cases occur five years or more after completing treatment for HR+/HER2– node-negative breast cancer.

According to the authors of a study published in August in npj breast cancer, HR+/HER2- breast cancer “accounts for about 60% of all breast cancer deaths due to high prevalence and persistent recurrence risk beyond 5 years.”

The 21-gene Recurrence Score (Oncotype DX) is an existing test used by healthcare professionals to predict the likelihood of the cancer returning and assess whether the patient would benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

However, the authors of the study published in npj breast cancer have created an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to provide more accurate predictions regarding recurrence risk in people with early stage HR+/HER2– node-negative breast cancer.

According to the study authors, the 21-gene Recurrence Score is most effective at predicting recurrence that develops within 5 years after treatment. They designed the new AI model, called IICM+, to hopefully better predict recurrence that develops beyond the 5-year mark.