IBM Watson for Oncology Achieves Breakthrough in Gastric Cancer Treatment
IBM Watson’s cognitive computing capabilities are already well known, and it continues to make significant strides in the field of oncology. In Europe and North America, cancer-related mortality has been declining, whereas it is rising in other regions, including Asia. Particularly in Asia, the prevalence of gastric cancer and liver cancer remains high. Due to its large population base, China has long been considered a country with a high burden of gastric cancer. According to relevant statistics, there are 400,000 new cases of gastric cancer annually in China, accounting for approximately 40% of the global total. Gastric cancer is closely linked to lifestyle factors, as well as geographic environment and dietary habits, making it a key focus for our efforts in disease control and treatment.
“Cancer” is a challenge—and even a source of dread—faced by humanity as a whole. People’s fear stems not only from the threat the disease poses to life, but also from its vast diversity and the complex web of contributing factors. Unraveling the mysteries of cancer remains akin to navigating an endless sea of knowledge, still shrouded in profound enigmas.
Following its success in addressing lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and rectal cancer, IBM Watson for Oncology became one of the first commercial projects under IBM Watson Health in July 2015, officially launching its oncology solutions for these four cancer types into the commercial market. According to VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat), IBM announced in August 2016 that it had completed training for adjuvant therapy for gastric cancer and formally launched its clinical use.
Wang Taifeng, COO of Hangzhou Cognitive Care, stated: “As the sole designated operator of IBM Watson for Oncology in China, Cognitive Care will spare no effort to continuously introduce more Watson Health services to the Chinese market. We will actively collaborate with major hospitals, physicians, medical research and service institutions, and industry associations to advance the localization of IBM Watson for Oncology in China. Our goal is to empower physicians and oncologists to deliver high-quality, evidence-based cancer treatment plans for patients, thereby serving Chinese patients, effectively enhancing the average capability of clinical cancer care and research in China, and ultimately driving overall progress in cancer treatment across the country.”
IBM Watson leverages cognitive computing to create a novel approach for uncovering answers and insights hidden within vast amounts of data. Cognitive computing is not designed to produce machines that think in place of humans, but rather to augment human intelligence and help people think more effectively. It does not make decisions; instead, it provides reference answers. For every question, it offers a set of potential answers accompanied by supporting evidence. Watson can comprehend questions posed in natural language and employ thousands of algorithms to generate alternative answers.
Initially, Watson’s knowledge was limited to the game categories featured on *Jeopardy!*. Following its television debut in February 2011, Watson began incorporating tens of thousands of historical and literary documents, news reports, and scientific journal articles. IBM Watson for Oncology is a high-tech achievement developed by IBM in collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). It was trained for over four years based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) cancer treatment guidelines and more than a century of clinical oncology practice experience in the United States. The system can interpret medical records, generate a list of treatment options, provide robust evidence supporting each option, and offer insights into treatment plans for physicians. This assists doctors in formulating personalized treatment regimens tailored to the specific needs of individual patients.