Owkin improves bile duct cancer treatment through new innovation collaboration

Artificial intelligence improves the treatment of some of the most aggressive forms of bile duct cancer, as French-American AI startup Owkin announces a new research collaboration with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Innovation Hub.

This cancer develops in the bile ducts within the liver, known as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Traditionally, we can only diagnose it at an advanced stage. As a result, median survival is approximately seven months following diagnosis. Although innovative treatment can double survival time, it has historically been challenging to identify which patients benefit.

Owkin and MSK collaborate to use AI to detect treatment candidates at a much earlier stage

Owkin will train deep learning models using de-identified data from MSK patients to predict the prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma and discover biomarkers of treatment response.

This model will allow clinicians to better target treatments and drastically improve survival times for bile duct cancer, diagnosed in 8,000 Americans each year. In addition, this application of AI on multiple data modalities serves as a proof of concept for discovering novel prognostic and treatment biomarkers in other less common cancers.

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We’re excited to help MSK improve the treatment of some of the most aggressive forms of cancer. The richness and uniqueness of its research cohorts, together with Owkin’s extensive expertise in developing predictive AI models, will pave the way for forward-thinking science. We’re thrilled to initiate this collaborative project with the MSK Innovation Hub.
Meriem Sefta Ph.D., Chief Data and Clinical Solutions Officer at Owkin

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I am excited to be part of this cutting-edge research collaboration. It will have a positive impact on how clinicians evaluate and treat patients with bile duct cancer, and potentially other cancers, as well.

William R. Jarnigan MD, FACS, Chief of the MSK Hepatopancreatobiliary Service