Exscientia Launches New Clinical Study to Enhance Cancer Treatment Through AI

Exscientia plc, a UK-based AI-driven precision medicine company, has initiated a clinical study, EXCYTE-2, focusing on acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients. This observational study aims to refine the understanding of how patients' responses to drugs, assessed through advanced AI analysis of blood and bone marrow samples, correlate with actual clinical outcomes.

The study will include patients undergoing first-line treatment for AML, with potential expansion to those receiving second-line therapies. These groups face significant challenges in treatment efficacy and survival rates, underscoring the critical need for improved therapeutic strategies. EXCYTE-2 will involve collecting and analyzing patient samples across multiple centers, utilizing Exscientia’s cloud-based AI platform for remote processing by the company or its partners.

A key aspect of the study is the evaluation of Exscientia's LSD1 inhibitor, EXS74539 ('539), in a diverse set of clinically annotated samples. This phase is instrumental in advancing '539's development and optimizing patient selection for upcoming clinical trials.

EXCYTE-2 builds on Exscientia’s prior precision medicine studies, such as EXALT-1, which utilized high-content imaging and deep learning to guide treatment in late-stage haematological cancers, and the ongoing EXCYTE-1, focusing on ovarian cancer. These studies represent steps towards integrating AI-led ex vivo drug testing into clinical practice, potentially revolutionizing treatment approaches for AML and beyond.

Dr. Nikolaus Krall, EVP of Precision Medicine at Exscientia, emphasized the goal of establishing AI-led ex vivo drug testing as a superior method for preclinical evaluations of new therapies. A strong correlation between the platform's predictions and clinical outcomes could significantly alter clinical practices to the advantage of AML patients.

The EXCYTE-2 trial is designed to validate the relationship between clinical outcomes and ex vivo drug responses, as assessed by Exscientia’s AI platform. By comparing these AI-generated predictions with the actual responses of AML patients to their treatments, the study seeks to establish a more effective framework for therapy selection, ultimately aiming to improve patient survival and quality of life.

Topics: Biotech Companies