Artificial intelligence in neuro-oncology: methodological bases, practical applications and ethical and regulatory issues.

Journal: Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico
Published Date:

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming neuro-oncology by enhancing diagnosis, treatment planning, and prognosis prediction. AI-driven approaches-such as CNNs and deep learning-have improved the detection and classification of brain tumors through advanced imaging techniques and genomic analysis. Explainable AI methods mitigate the "black box" problem, promoting model transparency and clinical trust. Mechanistic models complement AI by integrating biological principles, enabling precise tumor growth predictions and treatment response assessments. AI applications also include the creation of digital twins for personalized therapy optimization, virtual clinical trials, and predictive modeling for estimation of tumor resection and pattern of recurrence. However, challenges such as data bias, ethical concerns, and regulatory compliance persist. The European Artificial Intelligence Act and the Health Data Space Regulation impose strict data protection and transparency requirements. This review explores AI's methodological foundations, clinical applications, and ethical challenges in neuro-oncology, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and regulatory adaptation.

Authors

  • Pedro David Delgado-López
    Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital Universitario de Burgos, Avda Islas Baleares 3, 09006, Burgos, Spain. pedrodl@yahoo.com.
  • Miguel Cárdenas Montes
    Departamento de Investigación Básica, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain.
  • Jesús Troya García
    Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain.
  • Beatriz Ocaña-Tienda
    Mathematical Oncology Laboratory (MOLAB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain. beatriz.ocana@uclm.es.
  • Santiago Cepeda
    Neurosurgery Department, Rio Hortega University Hospital, 47012 Valladolid, Spain.
  • Ricard Martínez Martínez
    Facultad de Derecho, Cátedra de Privacidad y Transformación Digital de la Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
  • Eva María Corrales-García
    Servicio de Oncología Radioterápica, Hospital Universitario de Burgos, Burgos, Spain.

Keywords

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