Prediction of melanoma evolution in melanocytic nevi via artificial intelligence: A call for prospective data
Sondermann W, Utikal JS, Enk AH, Schadendorf D, Klode J, Hauschild A, Weichenthal M, French LE, Berking C, Schilling B, Haferkamp S, Fröhling S, von Kalle C, Brinker TJ (2019)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2019
Journal
Book Volume: 119
Pages Range: 30-34
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2019.07.009
Abstract
Recent research revealed the superiority of artificial intelligence over dermatologists to diagnose melanoma from images. However, 30–50% of all melanomas and more than half of those in young patients evolve from initially benign lesions. Despite its high relevance for melanoma screening, neither clinicians nor computers are yet able to reliably predict a nevus’ oncologic transformation. The cause of this lies in the static nature of lesion presentation in the current standard of care, both for clinicians and algorithms. The status quo makes it difficult to train algorithms (and clinicians) to precisely assess the likelihood of a benign skin lesion to transform into melanoma. In addition, it inhibits the precision of current algorithms since ‘evolution’ image features may not be part of their decision. The current literature reveals certain types of melanocytic nevi (i.e. ‘spitzoid’ or ‘dysplastic’ nevi) and criteria (i.e. visible vasculature) that, in general, appear to have a higher chance to transform into melanoma. However, owing to the cumulative nature of oncogenic mutations in melanoma, a more fine-grained early morphologic footprint is likely to be detectable by an algorithm. In this perspective article, the concept of melanoma prediction is further explored by the discussion of the evolution of melanoma, the concept for training of such a nevi classifier and the implications of early melanoma prediction for clinical practice. In conclusion, the authors believe that artificial intelligence trained on prospective image data could be transformative for skin cancer diagnostics by (a) predicting melanoma before it occurs (i.e. pre-in situ) and (b) further enhancing the accuracy of current melanoma classifiers. Necessary prospective images for this research are obtained via free mole-monitoring mobile apps.
Involved external institutions
Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Essen
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg
Germany (DE)
Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Regensburg
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Würzburg
Germany (DE)
Klinikum der Universität München
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Essen
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg
Germany (DE)
Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Regensburg
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Würzburg
Germany (DE)
Klinikum der Universität München
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Sondermann, W., Utikal, J.S., Enk, A.H., Schadendorf, D., Klode, J., Hauschild, A.,... Brinker, T.J. (2019). Prediction of melanoma evolution in melanocytic nevi via artificial intelligence: A call for prospective data. European Journal of Cancer, 119, 30-34. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2019.07.009
MLA:
Sondermann, Wiebke, et al. "Prediction of melanoma evolution in melanocytic nevi via artificial intelligence: A call for prospective data." European Journal of Cancer 119 (2019): 30-34.
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