Prediction of Vertebral Collapse using Artificial Intelligence in Multiple Myeloma patients (PreVeCAIMM)
The UMC Utrecht has received funding from the Hanarth Foundation to investigate artificial intelligence for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma is a rare form of blood cancer that affects white blood cells that normally fight infections. Healthy plasma cells in the bone marrow grow uncontrollably and displace new healthy blood cells. Eventually, the bone tissue can also be affected. Holes appear in the skeleton that can lead to vertebral fractures and collapses. Once bone damage has occurred, it is irreversible.
There are currently no methods to predict where vertebral fractures will occur. If doctors know that, they could strengthen the vertebrae in question with, for example, bone cement.
The aim of the PreVeCAIMM project is to predict where and when vertebral fractures will occur. For this purpose, artificial intelligence will be developed that automatically examines series of CT images over time to detect high-risk spots. By monitoring patients with multiple myeloma in this manner, vertebrae at risk may be treated before they fracture. This will improve survival as well as quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma.
Because such an undertaking requires multidisciplinary knowledge, the research is carried out in a team with members from different departments: the Image Sciences Institute (Kenneth Gilhuijs, Bas van der Velden), Hematology (Margot Jak, Monique Minnema), Radiology (Bart de Keizer) and Orthopaedic Surgery (Jorit-Jan Verlaan). The PI of the study is Kenneth Gilhuijs.
