Yonsei University Leads AI-Driven Breakthrough in Lung Cancer Treatment
Artificial intelligence (AI), supercomputing and biotechnology, have together opened a unique opportunity in lung cancer treatment, led by Yonsei University. The university is currently pursuing a large-scale cooperation research project with major Korean research organizations, such as Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), KAIST, and private company J INTS BIO. It's an agreement which was actualized with a Memorandum of Understanding signed at Yonsei University’s Baekyangnuri Plaza in November 2024.
The project, backed by the likes of Yuhan Corporation chief executive Wook Je Cho and South Korean National Assembly Representative Seong Hoon Park, seeks to develop AI-driven tailored therapies for lung cancer. The initiative is aimed at creating is a completely AI-integrated platform that will be able to forecast the treatment response for individual patients.
AI Powered Personalized Lung Cancer Therapy
The four-stage project starts with DAAN Cancer Research Institute at Yonsei collecting and preparing tissue and genomic samples of cancer patients. These are studied to determine drug resistance patterns, and other important biomarkers necessary to make the AI algorithms more precise.
During the second phase, DGIST simulates the interactions between proteins and drug compounds, using the National Supercomputing Facility. The results from these virtual experiments are used to confirm AI-inspired theories and improve drug design. The third phase is conducted by KRICT, which manufactures its synthetic drug candidates identified via analysis using AI. These drugs are put through extensive laboratory testing to ensure they are safe and effective.
The last stage is conducted after collaboration with J INTS BIO, which executes clinical trials comparing the therapeutic potential of these AI-generated treatments and how accurately they are tailored toward the patient.
Also read: AI Revolutionizing Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment in Shanghai's Leading Hospitals
Vision for the Future
The project aims to cut the cost, shorten the timeline, and reduce the guesswork in creating a new cancer drug that works. Through AI-driven discovery of personalized treatment methods for patients, the consortium expands beyond the constrains imposed by traditional oncology. Yonsei University and its partners plan to present interim findings at a major international conference in the first half of 2025, highlighting the transformative potential of AI-powered medicine in achieving more effective and personalized cancer care.
