Engineering the Future of Cancer Care

On 4 February the University marked World Cancer Day, an international awareness day highlighting the impact of cancer and the importance of continued research into its diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

The University’s Centre for Cancer Immunology (CCI), which many readers will be familiar with, is just one example of the world-leading cancer research environment here at Southampton. Scientists from the CCI discussed their latest research at a special event for World Cancer Day.

Dr Tim Fenton and PhD student James Christian spoke about their experiences on the front line of research, developing new ways to diagnose and treat cancer using immunotherapy. They were joined by Charlotte Moss, a patient given a fresh chance at life through clinical trials.

You can watch the lecture here.

A breadth of expertise

Southampton’s cancer research expertise extends into areas outside of immunology. Our scientists are using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance our ability to diagnose and treat cancer.

The use of AI in developing treatment plans is already helping real patients at the University Hospital, patients like Nicola.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nicola went into hospital for a scan and a routine endoscopy. She left with a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer.

“I was just extremely tired – sort of catatonic and I had difficulty in swallowing some foods” she says.

The tumour was the size of a Starburst sweet, a major blockage in her oesophagus.

Nicola was placed under the care of University of Southampton professor of gastrointestinal surgery and research lead, Professor Tim Underwood. Tim used a new AI modelling tool to prescribe six weeks of chemotherapy, six weeks of radiotherapy and a full oesophagectomy.

The AI modelling tool was developed with computer scientists at the University and helps predict a patient’s likely response to a given treatment. At 53, Nicola was younger than most oesophageal cancer patients, fit and healthy; the models suggested that this treatment approach gave her a good chance of a positive outcome.

Long term recovery

Nicola responded well to her course of treatment and the models showed her likely 3-5 year survival rate at around 90 per cent.

With no sign of the cancer returning, Nicola now hopes to live into her seventies.

“When people find out that I’ve had cancer, they tell me I’m unlucky, but actually I’m one of the lucky ones. I was caught. I was treated and I was sent on my way.”

Tim’s work on developing this AI model has been instrumental in selecting the right care plans for the patients he sees at the hospital. He believes AI is essential for improving outcomes for cancer patients. “The application of AI, both in cancer and in other areas of medicine, informs the conversation around what the diagnosis might be and what treatment to offer to an individual.”