AI aids in discovering treatments for severe diseases

Joseph Coates from Renton, Washington, faced a life-threatening blood disorder called POEMS syndrome. After months of suffering, doctors told him he had limited options and was at the end of his life. Coates felt hopeless, but his girlfriend, Tara Theobald, reached out to Dr. David Fajgenbaum in Philadelphia for help. Dr. Fajgenbaum suggested a new treatment plan using a mix of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and steroids that had not been previously tested for Coates’ condition. Remarkably, within a week, Coates began to improve. After four months, he was well enough to receive a stem cell transplant, and he is now in remission. The approach that saved him was developed using artificial intelligence. Scientists are increasingly using AI to find new applications for existing medications, an effort known as drug repurposing. This method is crucial, especially for rare diseases like POEMS syndrome, as over 90% of such diseases lack approved treatments. AI speeds up the process of identifying effective drugs from a vast number of existing ones. Dr. Fajgenbaum established a nonprofit organization called Every Cure to expedite drug repurposing through machine learning. His work has helped many patients find effective treatments from drugs previously considered unrelated to their conditions, like using arthritis medication for Castleman disease. Despite the positive outcomes, researchers note that drug repurposing can be less profitable for pharmaceutical companies, as many existing drugs are inexpensive generic medications. However, initiatives like Every Cure are gaining support, raising substantial funds to conduct clinical trials and explore new treatment options. While AI in medicine offers new hope, experts stress the importance of careful oversight by doctors when considering AI-generated treatment suggestions, ensuring that potential risks are managed. The success stories are encouraging, demonstrating the transformative impact of combining AI technology with medical research in the quest for innovative treatments.