A novel machine learning approach has been introduced to predict pathological complete response (pCR) in breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy, aiming to enhance treatment personalization and improve outcomes.
Pathological complete response is a strong prognostic indicator in breast cancer, yet predicting which patients will achieve it is challenging due to tumor biology complexity.
A study analyzed data from 1,143 breast cancer patients to develop predictive models using machine learning algorithms, with the Naive Bayes classifier showing high performance.
The Naive Bayes model exhibited 74.6% accuracy, 69.9% sensitivity, and 80.8% specificity, enabling accurate patient stratification for neoadjuvant therapy.
External validation confirmed the model's reliability across diverse patient populations, ensuring its applicability in real-world clinical settings.
The study emphasized interpretability, highlighting key factors like tumor grade, nodal status, time to treatment, and molecular subtype in predicting pCR.
A user-friendly web tool based on the Naive Bayes model was developed, allowing clinicians to input patient data and receive personalized pCR probability scores.
Anticipating pCR can lead to tailored treatment regimens, minimizing toxicity for non-responders and intensifying therapy for likely responders, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
The model's specificity aids in avoiding unnecessary interventions, while accurate identification of responders enhances prognosis and shared decision-making.
This study showcases the potential of machine learning to enhance cancer management by uncovering predictive patterns and empowering personalized treatment strategies.