AI and Nanomedicine Unite to Discover Rare Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer and Atherosclerosis

Researchers from Michigan State University (MSU), in collaboration with scientists from Augusta University, the Karolinska Institute, and Stanford University, have developed a novel approach to identifying rare biomarkers for metastatic prostate cancer and atherosclerosis. Their method combines nanomedicine, artificial intelligence (AI), and a technique for studying cause and effect, making it possible to detect incredibly scarce but crucial biological indicators in the blood. Imagine a stadium packed with 75,000 fans, all dressed in green and white jerseys, except for one individual wearing a solid green shirt. Finding that person would be a monumental task. This analogy underscores the difficulty scientists face in pinpointing disease markers, or biomarkers, in the blood. Instead of one stadium, researchers must sift through vast amounts of data equivalent to searching through 100,000 stadiums. "Cells affected by disease secrete specific proteins and other biomolecules into the bloodstream," explained Morteza Mahmoudi, an associate professor in the Department of Radiology and the Precision Health Program at MSU's College of Human Medicine. "These proteins offer valuable insights into a patient's health status and can be crucial for identifying and treating diseases. Once identified, they can significantly advance the development of personalized medical treatments, known as precision medicine." To overcome the challenge of finding these rare biomarkers, the team introduced nanoparticles—tiny particles invisible to the naked eye—into plasma samples. These nanoparticles interact with proteins in the blood, amplifying the signals from less abundant proteins, which often contain the most valuable information about diseases. They then used AI and causal analysis to sift through the amplified data and identify potential biomarkers. "This is the first time that nanomedicine, protein corona, AI, and causal analysis have been combined to pinpoint disease causes," Mahmoudi noted. "This breakthrough holds immense potential for advancing early detection and developing targeted therapies for metastatic prostate cancer and atherosclerosis." The research team includes MSU scientists Mohammad Ghassemi, Borzoo Bonakdarpour, and Liangliang Sun, who played key roles in the project. Their findings were recently published in the Chemical Engineering Journal, highlighting the promising future of nanotechnology and AI in medical diagnostics and treatment. This innovative approach not only enhances the accuracy of detecting disease markers but also opens new avenues for personalized healthcare, where treatments can be tailored to individual patients based on their unique biomarker profiles. The collaboration between these leading institutions represents a significant step forward in the fight against complex diseases, emphasizing the power of interdisciplinary research in advancing medical science.