An uncertainty-based interpretable deep learning framework for predicting breast cancer outcome.

Journal: BMC bioinformatics
Published Date:

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Predicting outcome of breast cancer is important for selecting appropriate treatments and prolonging the survival periods of patients. Recently, different deep learning-based methods have been carefully designed for cancer outcome prediction. However, the application of these methods is still challenged by interpretability. In this study, we proposed a novel multitask deep neural network called UISNet to predict the outcome of breast cancer. The UISNet is able to interpret the importance of features for the prediction model via an uncertainty-based integrated gradients algorithm. UISNet improved the prediction by introducing prior biological pathway knowledge and utilizing patient heterogeneity information.

Authors

  • Hua Chai
    Faculty of Information Technology & State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long,Taipa, Macau, 999078, China.
  • Siyin Lin
    School of Data and Computer Science, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
  • Junqi Lin
    School of Mathematics and Big Data, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China.
  • Minfan He
    School of Mathematics and Big Data, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China.
  • Yuedong Yang
    Institute for Glycomics and School of Information and Communication Technique, Griffith University, Parklands Dr. Southport, QLD 4222, Australia.
  • Yongzhong OuYang
    School of Mathematics and Big Data, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China. ouyang7492@163.com.
  • Huiying Zhao
    Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 107 Yan Jiang West Road, Guangzhou 510120, China.