Technology
trends in oncology, including diagnostics. While initiatives like the UK’s funding of new blood tests for early cancer detection2
- capable of
identifying 12 common cancers with over 99% accuracy - are transformative, they highlight the same diagnostic-treatment mismatch I’ve described. Early detection saves lives only if paired with effective interventions, yet many patients still face the survivorship gap post- treatment. Work by companies like Astron Health complements such diagnostic advances by ensuring that once cancer is detected or treated, patients aren’t left without options. Using AI to analyse existing knowledge and focus on therapeutic repurposing to reduce the risk of recurrence is a critical next step after diagnosis. The NHS states every survivor should receive a personalised care plan and Astron’s reports operationalise that vision, turning AI insights into a daily, manageable guidance that patients can trust. The patient perspective should drive
everything we do. Survivorship isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving. Imagine a breast cancer survivor with a specific mutation profile receiving a tailored care plan of repurposed drugs, backed by peer-reviewed evidence, that targets her unique recurrence risks. She’s no longer passively waiting for bad news; she’s actively managing her health with affordable, tolerable medications. This shift could redefine survivorship, reducing not just recurrence rates but also the psychological toll of living in limbo. Of course, challenges remain. Integrating AI-driven repurposing into clinical practice requires overcoming scepticism from healthcare providers. There’s also the hurdle of regulatory acceptance and payer reimbursement for off-label drug use. Yet, the evidence is mounting - studies like those highlighted by the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)3
emphasise
the need for high-quality survivorship care that addresses physical, psychological and recurrence risks.
The AI-powered future of cancer survivorship Looking ahead, I envision a future where every cancer survivor benefits from a personalised care plan, tailored by AI to their molecular profile and grounded in existing drugs. The survivorship phase, long neglected, could become the frontier of oncology innovation, as noted in discussions4
in breast cancer prevention and therapy. Cancer Manag Res. 2018 Oct 26;10:4653-4667. doi: 10.2147/CMAR.S178567. PMID: 30464589; PMCID: PMC6208493.
2.
https://www.digitalhealth.net/2025/04/ government-awards-2-4m-to-help-develop-ai- driven-blood-test/
around rethinking cancer
care models. If we can address all 750 cancer driver mutations through repurposing, rather than the current 46, we’ll offer a comprehensive shield against cancer, not just a partial one. To get there, we need a collective shift in mindset from patients and clinicians to policymakers and pharma. We must prioritise survivorship as much as early detection, recognising that the post-treatment phase offers an immediate chance to improve outcomes. As reports like the AACR’s forecasts5 suggest, AI and precision medicine are poised to advance cancer care in 2025 and beyond, including through innovative therapeutic strategies. Cancer care doesn’t need more waiting; it needs action and AI-driven drug repurposing is how we deliver it. I urge the oncology community to rethink
where we invest our resources and focus. Money is poured into early detection and novel therapies, yet survivorship remains an afterthought. Let’s change that by harnessing AI to repurpose existing drugs, giving survivors not just hope but tangible, personalised tools to extend remission. The NHS commitment to embed novel digital tools over the next decade is hugely welcome. We now need to make sure every earlier diagnosis is matched by an equally advanced survivorship strategy.
References 1. Li J, Hao Q, Cao W, Vadgama JV, Wu Y. Celecoxib
3. I. Vaz-Luis, M. et al, ESMO Expert Consensus Statements on Cancer Survivorship: promoting high-quality survivorship care and research in Europe, Annals of Oncology, Volume 33, Issue 11, 2022, Pages 1119-1133,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j. annonc.2022.07.1941.
4.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rethinking- current-models-survivorship-care-needs- michelle-kirschner-pgcdc
5.
https://www.aacr.org/blog/2025/01/10/ experts-forecast-cancer-research-and- treatment-advances-in-2025/
About the author CSJ
Dr Shivan Sivakumar is a research active oncologist with an interest in improving the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer through finding better opportunities to diagnose the disease earlier, running clinical trials and informing new targets by studying the biology of the disease. He also treats patients with pancreatic cancer, liver cancer and biliary tract cancer and has an active trials programme in this area.
September 2025 I
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com 69
Africa Studio -
stock.adobe.com
Toowongsa -
stock.adobe.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
