Myriad Genetics, a leader in molecular diagnostics, has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with PATHOMIQ, an artificial intelligence (AI) company specializing in prognostic and predictive tests for cancer.
This collaboration will integrate PATHOMIQ_PRAD, an AI-powered diagnostic platform, into Myriad’s oncology portfolio, enhancing prostate cancer risk assessment and treatment planning. With AI playing an increasingly critical role in healthcare, this partnership aims to provide faster, more accurate diagnostic insights to improve patient outcomes.
AI’s role in prostate cancer diagnostics
Prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment planning rely on multiple factors, including genetic testing, tumor profiling, and imaging. Traditional methods, such as Gleason scoring and TNM staging, help assess the risk of disease progression, but they have limitations.
PATHOMIQ_PRAD introduces an AI-driven approach that analyzes digitized hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) whole slide images from radical prostatectomy tissue samples. This model assesses the likelihood of biochemical recurrence and metastasis, generating a comprehensive risk profile within 24 hours of receiving patient samples.
Dr. Ashutosh K. Tewari, Icahn School of Medicine’s Chairman of the Milton and Carroll Petrie Department of Urology at Mount Sinai, commended the AI model for its precision. “The PATHOMIQ-PRAD AI model has outperformed some currently used markers in both Caucasian and African American patient cohorts, significantly improving patient outcomes,” he stated.
The model has been validated across multiple clinical settings and has shown a superior ability to predict biochemical recurrence in intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients compared to traditional staging and genomic tools.
AI’s impact on personalized treatment
One of the most promising aspects of PATHOMIQ_PRAD is its ability to predict treatment responses.
Research indicates that among patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, those with high PATHOMIQ scores who received apalutamide plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) had significantly better metastasis-free survival rates than those receiving placebo plus ADT. This insight allows oncologists to tailor treatments based on a patient’s specific risk factors, potentially improving long-term outcomes.
Beyond prostate cancer, PATHOMIQ’s AI model has the potential for broader applications. Its image-based technology can be adapted for other solid tumors diagnosed through biopsy, opening the door to more widespread use in oncology diagnostics.
Strengthening Myriad’s oncology portfolio
Integrating AI with molecular diagnostics: The addition of PATHOMIQ_PRAD complements Myriad Genetics’ existing molecular testing solutions, particularly the Prolaris® Prostate Cancer Prognostic Test. Prolaris assesses genetic risk factors for prostate cancer progression, while PATHOMIQ_PRAD adds morphological insights through AI analysis.
Together, these tools provide a more comprehensive picture of a patient’s condition, assisting clinicians in making informed decisions before treatment, at the time of biopsy, and after surgery or radiation therapy.
“Having both genetic and morphologic insights at the time of biopsy, along with the ability to predict disease recurrence after initial therapy, leads to more precise treatment planning and improved patient care,” said Dr. George Daneker Jr., President and Chief Clinical Officer of Oncology at Myriad Genetics. This integrated approach aligns with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, which recommend combined germline and tumor profiling for prostate cancer management.
Accelerating evidence-based medicine: A key goal of this collaboration is to accelerate the validation of PATHOMIQ_PRAD and Prolaris under Simon level 1 evidence standards, which require strong clinical validation to support widespread adoption in medical practice. By leveraging Myriad’s infrastructure and commercial reach, the companies aim to bring AI-powered diagnostics to market faster, improving accessibility for clinicians and patients.
Paul J. Diaz, President and CEO of Myriad Genetics, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating that combining Myriad’s clinical expertise with PATHOMIQ’s AI technology will drive innovation in cancer diagnostics. He noted that this collaboration aims to deliver clinically validated products with improved efficiency, ensuring faster turnaround times and reduced costs.
The future of AI in cancer diagnostics
Although PATHOMIQ_PRAD is currently designed for prostate cancer, its underlying AI model has the potential to be adapted for diagnosing other solid tumors through biopsy. This could include breast, lung, and colorectal cancers, where AI-driven morphological analysis could enhance existing diagnostic and prognostic tools. As AI continues to evolve, its integration into precision medicine will likely expand beyond risk assessment to include real-time monitoring of disease progression and treatment effectiveness.
Addressing challenges in AI adoption
Despite its potential, AI adoption in cancer diagnostics faces challenges, including regulatory approval, integration into clinical workflows, and physician training. Ensuring AI models are rigorously validated and meet high clinical standards is crucial for gaining trust among healthcare providers. Additionally, interoperability with existing electronic health record (EHR) systems will be essential for seamless implementation in medical practice.
A step toward more personalized cancer care
The collaboration between Myriad Genetics and PATHOMIQ represents a significant step toward more personalized cancer care. By integrating AI-powered insights with molecular diagnostics, the partnership aims to provide clinicians with the tools needed to make more precise treatment decisions, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Myriad plans to launch its first AI-driven prostate cancer test later this year, marking the beginning of a new era in AI-assisted oncology diagnostics. As advancements in machine learning and precision medicine continue, collaborations like this will play a vital role in shaping the future of cancer care.