The Razor’s Edge
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: There are exciting developments in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer spurred by developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and mRNA technology. AI in its turn got boost from the following three crucial developments: algorithmic methods for training machine learning models, advances in computer chips to run advanced models, and availability of large volumes of data in relation to cancer such as images, genomics, and clinical histories. The triangulation of these developments holds promise for new applications in cancer research.[1] The mRNA technology heralds a new era in cancer immunotherapy.[2] The mRNA technology offers an attractive platform for trying out emerging and powerful immune-therapeutics against cancer given its high potency, precision, flexibility, and rapid scalability. Notwithstanding these exciting developments, which look neat and elegant in theory, the execution of any new technology is a perilous journey in practice. There is many a slip between the lab and the jab. Despite the promise, there are a number of loose ends. Using AI as a diagnostic tool, hypothetically, there can be difficulty in distinguishing transient cancer cells from the ones which are truly cancerous. Every day, the human body generates a number of transient cancer cells, which are cleared by a healthy immune system. AI may identify these cells as cancer giving rise to a large number of false positives in a healthy population. There are challenges in developing stable mRNA and safe delivery systems.[2] Cancer being a heterogeneous group of conditions, a large number of clinical trials with different tumour types will be required. The instability and the in vivo delivery of the mRNA cancer vaccine have been major barriers so far. The delivery of the mRNA to the target cells and tissues is another issue which call for refinement. Giving these uncertainties for a work in progress, it would seem premature for the incoming American President Mr Donald Trump to announce $5000 billion for accelerating these technologies.[3] Such huge stakes attract many vested interest groups to hurry up with the production and commercialization before the science catches up. The true “speed of science,” which can provide comprehensive answers to the nagging questions of risk and benefits, approximates a snail’s pace rather that of the hare. Anything contrary is propaganda and social marketing and not science. Given this, it would be more prudent to limit preliminary research using AI in screening and development of mRNA vaccines to patients with end stage malignancy instead of rolling out these technologies hurriedly as a screening tool among the apparently healthy general population. Going fast with powerful tools like AI and mRNA technology without research which will take time to resolve the uncertainties would be walking on The Razor’s Edge. Data Availability statement Not applicable being an editorial. Author contribution AB was responsible for the concept, writing, final revision and approval of the manuscript.
Author: Amitav Banerjee
Language: English
Subfield: Health Informatics
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408652248