Israeli researchers develop innovative algorithm to compare cancerous tumors

JERUSALEM – Israeli researchers have developed an innovative algorithm that compares cancerous tumors, the Israel Institute of Technology (Technion) said Tuesday.

This platform enhances tumor comparison among different patients, overcoming high inter-patient variability derived from genetic differences, the Technion cited a study published in the journal Cell Systems.

The algorithm was developed by researchers from the Technion, the Rambam Health Care Campus in northern Israel, Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

It detects a common denominator in huge multidimensional data gathered from tumors of different patients. With the common denominator, the comparison, essential for identifying prognostic markers, like mortality or severity of illness, becomes possible.

The algorithm allows to place numerous different tumors on a uniform scale that provides a benchmark for comparison.

In this way, the tumors of different patients can be meaningfully compared, as well as tumors of the same patient over the disease course.

The resolution provided by the algorithm can be leveraged for clinical applications such as prediction of various clinical indices with a very high accuracy, outperforming traditional tools, the researchers said.

The team tested the algorithm on leukemia tumors and believe that it will also be relevant for other cancer types.