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A discovery promises to improve care for patients with endometrial cancer, the most common gynecologic malignancy. Using artificial intelligence (AI) to spot patterns across thousands of cancer cell images, the researchers have pinpointed a distinct subset of endometrial cancer that puts patients at much greater risk of recurrence and death, but would otherwise go unrecognized by traditional pathology and molecular diagnostics. The findings will help doctors identify patients with high-risk disease who could benefit from more comprehensive treatment. A discovery by researchers at the University of British Columbia promises to improve care for patients with endometrial cancer, the most common gynecologic malignancy. Using artificial intelligence (AI) to spot patterns across thousands of cancer cell images, the researchers have pinpointed a distinct subset of endometrial cancer that puts patients at much greater risk of recurrence and death, but would otherwise go unrecognized by traditional pathology and molecular diagnostics. The findings, published today in Nature Communications, will help doctors identify patients with high-risk disease who could benefit from more comprehensive treatment. "Endometrial cancer is a diverse disease, with some patients much more likely to see their cancer return than others," said Dr. Jessica McAlpine, professor and Dr. Chew Wei Chair in Gynaecologic Oncology at UBC, and surgeon-scientist at BC Cancer and Vancouver General Hospital. "It's so important that patients with high-risk disease are identified so we can intervene and hopefully prevent recurrence. This AI-based approach will help ensure no patient misses an opportunity for potentially lifesaving interventions." AI-powered precision medicine The discovery builds on work by Dr. McAlpine and colleagues at B.C.'s Gynecologic Cancer Initiative -- a multi-institutional collaboration between UBC, BC Cancer, Vancouver Coastal Health and BC Women's Hospital -- who in 2013 helped show that endometrial cancer can be classified into four subtypes based on the molecular characteristics of cancerous cells, with each posing a different level of risk to patients. Dr. McAlpine and team then went on to develop an innovative molecular diagnostic tool, called ProMiSE, that can accurately discern between the subtypes. The tool is now used across B.C., parts of Canada and internationally to guide treatment decisions. Yet, challenges remain. The most prevalent molecular subtype, encompassing approximately 50 per cent of all cases, is largely a catch-all category for endometrial cancers lacking discernable molecular features. "There are patients in this very large category who have extremely good outcomes, and others whose cancer outcomes are highly unfavourable. But until now, we have lacked the tools to identify those at-risk so that we can offer them appropriate treatment," said Dr. McAlpine. Dr. McAlpine turned to long-time collaborator and machine learning expert Dr. Ali Bashashati, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering and pathology and laboratory medicine at UBC, to try and further segment the category using advanced AI methods. Dr. Bashashati and his team developed a deep learning AI model that analyzes images of tissue samples collected from patients. The AI was trained to differentiate between different subtypes, and after analyzing over 2,300 cancer tissue images, pinpointed the new subgroup that exhibited markedly inferior survival rates. "The power of AI is that it can objectively look at large sets of images and identify patterns that elude human pathologists," said Dr. Bashashati. "It's finding the needle in the haystack. It tells us this group of cancers with these characteristics are the worst offenders and represent a higher risk for patients." Bringing the discovery to patients The team is now exploring how the AI tool could be integrated into clinical practice alongside traditional molecular and pathology diagnostics, thanks to a grant from the Terry Fox Research Institute. "The two work hand-in-hand, with AI providing an additional layer on top of the testing we're already doing," said Dr. McAlpine. One benefit of the AI-based approach is that it's cost-efficient and easy to deploy across geographies. The AI analyzes images that are routinely gathered by pathologists and healthcare providers, even at smaller hospital sites in rural and remote communities, and shared when seeking second opinions on a diagnosis. The combined use of molecular and AI-based analysis could allow many patients to remain in their home communities for less intensive surgery, while ensuring those who need treatment at a larger cancer centre can do so. "What is really compelling to us is the opportunity for greater equity and access," said Dr. Bashashati. "The AI doesn't care if you're in a large urban centre or rural community, it would just be available, so our hope is that this could really transform how we diagnose and treat endometrial cancer for patients everywhere."

TEMECULA, Calif., July 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Inland Detox is proud to be going in-network with Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser provides several kinds of health insurance plans that all contain benefits for mental health, including addiction. Kaiser Permanente includes the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and its subsidiaries, and the Permanente Medical Groups. Kaiser Permanente is one of the US's largest not-for-profit health plans that serves over 12.6 million nationwide. Continue Reading Inland Detox is Now In-Network With Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente offers insurance to California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., Oregon, and Washington residents. Kaiser is now included in the list of In-Network providers that are partnered with Inland Detox including Anthem, Beacon, Cigna, and TRICARE. Now that we can work directly with all of these insurance providers, Inland Detox can help more people receive quality detox and residential services. Proper treatment for drug and alcohol abuse is essential in finding recovery for you or your loved one. Inland Detox is a certified detoxification and residential facility for drug and alcohol addiction located in Temecula, California. Inland Detox specializes in detox and residential treatment to help with alcohol, benzodiazepine, opioid, prescription, cocaine, methamphetamine addiction, and more. A doctor evaluation will occur upon arrival and help with stabilization. Stabilization occurs by providing a safe and comfortable environment to withdrawal and get rid of all the drugs and alcohol from the body. Inland Detox also offers dual diagnosis treatment for those struggling with addiction and a mental health disorder simultaneously. Treating both disorders at the same time provides the best results for long-term recovery. Therapies provided during residential treatment can include individual sessions, group sessions, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psychiatric evaluations, and medication management. Using health insurance to pay for drug rehab can reduce out-of-pocket costs and help with financial burdens. Kaiser Permanente health insurance can provide coverage for behavioral therapy, detox, and residential treatment services provided by Inland Detox. To utilize Kaiser Permanente insurance at Inland Detox there are several steps that must be completed. Steps to qualify for Inland Detox through Kaiser Permanente: Call 951-601-6174 for the Riverside County Substance Abuse Referral Hotline Ask for a zoom call for the referral Request inpatient care with Inland Detox Receive a referral code and give it to admissions staff Insurance is run after the code is received Assessment is performed and arrival at Inland Detox can occur within a few hours Learn more at inlanddetox.com or call 888-739-8296. Media Contact: Kyle Hartfield (888) 739-8296 [email protected] SOURCE Inland Detox

An international team led by human genetic researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health has identified the latest gene associated with typical late-onset Lewy body Parkinson's disease (PD), with the help of a Canadian Mennonite family of Dutch-German-Russian ancestry. Twelve of the 57 members of the Saskatchewan family who participated in the study had previously been diagnosed with PD. UBC Medical Genetics Prof. Matthew Farrer, who led the research, notes that unequivocal confirmation of the gene's linkage with PD required DNA samples from thousands of patients with PD and healthy individuals. He refers to the new discovery as the "missing link," as it helps to unify past genetic discoveries in PD.