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With 200 patients treated, the Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid, Spain, has launched Europe’s first Oncohaematological Immunoprevention Unit aimed at the early detection of immunodeficiencies in patients with cancer.

Detecting immunodeficiencies in patients with haematological cancers is the primary objective of the unit, Silvia Sánchez-Ramón, head of the Immunology Department, explained to El Médico Interactivo, a Medscape Network platform. Along with Celina Benavente, head of the Haematology Department, Sánchez-Ramón emphasised the critical role of immune system dysfunction in cancer. Between 25% and 50% of cancer-related deaths are linked to infections, and at least 80% of patients with cancer will experience at least one severe infection during their treatment.

Given this situation, early detection of immunodeficiencies and prompt treatment with immunoglobulins can reduce hospitalisation time, lower intensive care unit admissions, and significantly improve patients’ quality of life.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)–Generated Algorithm

The new unit employs an AI-powered algorithm with 92% accuracy to achieve early diagnosis in patients at risk for infections. This tool allows for personalised medicine to prevent infections and reduce the recurrence or progression of cancer, leading to better overall outcomes.

As Sánchez-Ramón pointed out, “We are now adopting a proactive strategy that involves five departments: Haematology, Immunology, Preventive Medicine, Pharmacology, and Hospital Pharmacy, along with Nursing. We have developed a specific AI algorithm for primary immunodeficiency, enabling us to detect it early and implement treatment with immunoglobulins.” She also noted that the AI system’s sensitivity exceeds that of physicians, further enhancing the system’s efficiency.

Genetic Variant

The algorithm analyses 37 high-quality clinical and immunologic variables using machine learning, ultimately narrowing down to two final variables. On the basis of accumulated experience, the algorithm has achieved over 91.8% accuracy in a study involving 151 patients. Of these, 66% with oncohaematological tumours (lymphoma, leukaemia, or myeloma) and recurrent or severe infections displayed a genetic variant of primary immunodeficiency. “Detecting these variants at the time of cancer diagnosis allows us to prevent infections caused by immunodeficiency,” said Sánchez-Ramón.

In light of these findings, she remarked, “We are changing the approach to immunodeficiency associated with haematological cancers, making treatment more personalized and precise.” Efforts are also underway to explore the application of this approach to other types of cancer.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Benavente emphasised the importance of teamwork and the immune system’s role in preventing, developing, and prognosing neoplasms. “Multidisciplinary collaboration is key in this context, as it ensures comprehensive and coordinated patient care.”

The process followed in the Oncohaematological Immunoprevention Unit is as follows: Once diagnosed with lymphoma, leukaemia, or myeloma, patients receive comprehensive prevention, including personalised vaccination, specific treatment for their immunodeficiency, immunoglobulin prophylaxis, and health education on preventive measures provided by nursing staff.

Specialists also noted that patients with the genetic variant of primary immunodeficiency are eligible for treatment with medications specifically targeting their immunologic alteration and the genetic origin of their cancer.

This story was translated from El Medico Interactivo using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.