An application created by medical students from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) uses artificial intelligence (AI) to determine a person's blood risk for colorectal cancer.
Austin De Asa and Aamer Sultan, two undergraduates, are leading the effort to develop a less intrusive substitute for conventional colonoscopies.
How it was done
Six microRNAs (mirNA) that were initially discovered to be potential "biomarkers" for colorectal cancer in Filipino patients were used in the study.
According to the two, most patients are terrified about having a colonoscopy. The product is an app that uses molecular results to forecast the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer.
The levels of the six miRNAs associated with colorectal cancer are determined by qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) on a blood sample before the app then processes the data and provides a risk assessment.
Further data analysis is also a possibility for the users in the app.
Colorectal cancer in the Philippines
Over 900,000 people die from colorectal cancer each year, making it the second most common cause of cancer-related fatalities, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
In 2022, it was the fourth most common cause of cancer-related fatalities in the Philippines.
The study team now plans to extend testing in other locations after the initiative took home the BPI Innovation Awards in 2022.
