RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Treatment Recommendations for Gastrointestinal Cancers Via Large Language Models

This study is investigating if artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, can help doctors create better treatment plans for people with stomach or bowel cancers. Researchers will first look at past patient records (retrospective data) to see how ChatGPT's suggestions compare to what doctors recommended. They will try out different ways of asking ChatGPT for advice. Then, for a new group of patients (prospective data), some will have their treatment plans made by doctors alone, while for others, doctors will also see ChatGPT's suggestions and might adjust their plans based on this advice. The study will then follow these patients to see if there are differences in how well their cancer is controlled and how long they live over several years, comparing the group where AI was used to the group where it wasn't. This helps understand if AI can improve cancer care.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Chinese Academy of Sciences

Enrolment target

400

Start

29 Aug 2023

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2028

Gastrointestinal Neoplasm Malignant

What is this study about?

This important study is exploring new ways to help doctors make the best treatment decisions for patients with stomach and bowel cancers. You might have heard of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or chatbots like ChatGPT. This research is testing if AI can be a useful tool to support doctors in planning cancer treatments.

First, the researchers will look back at the medical records of more than a thousand patients who have already been treated for stomach or bowel cancer. They will give parts of these records to ChatGPT and see what treatment plans the AI comes up with. Senior doctors will also suggest treatment plans based on the same information. This step helps the team understand how well ChatGPT's suggestions match what experienced doctors would recommend.

Then, the study will involve about 400 new patients. These patients will be split into two groups by chance. For one group, doctors will continue to make treatment plans as usual. For the other group, doctors will still make their own plans, but they will also see what ChatGPT suggests. The doctors can then decide if they want to change their plan based on the AI's advice. The study will then follow all these patients for several years to see if there are any differences in how well they respond to treatment or how long they live, depending on whether AI was involved in planning their care. This will help us understand if AI can truly make a positive difference in real-world cancer treatment.

Key takeaways

The study explores if AI (ChatGPT) can help doctors plan cancer treatments.
It focuses on stomach and bowel (colorectal) cancers.
Researchers will compare AI-influenced plans with doctor-only plans.
Some patients' treatment plans may be influenced by ChatGPT suggestions.
Patient outcomes will be followed for up to 5 years.
The goal is to see if AI can improve cancer care for the future.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would need to be at least 18 years old, male or female. You must have received a confirmed diagnosis of either stomach cancer (gastric cancer) or bowel cancer (colorectal cancer).

It's important that your medical records are complete and include all the necessary details before you start treatment. This means information like why you first visited the doctor, your medical history, and results from scans and lab tests. Also, you must be receiving all your cancer treatment at one of the hospitals taking part in this study.

You would not be able to join the study if you have any type of cancer other than stomach or bowel cancer, or if you receive your cancer treatment from more than one hospital. The study needs to make sure all information comes from a single, complete source.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you have a confirmed diagnosis of stomach or bowel cancer?
Are all your medical records complete before starting treatment?
Are you receiving all your cancer treatment at one participating hospital?
Do you *not* have any other types of cancer?
Are you *not* receiving treatment at multiple hospitals?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you are eligible and choose to take part in this study, the process will depend on which group you are assigned to. You will be randomly put into one of two groups: either the 'control group' or the 'ChatGPT-Assisted group'.

If you are in the control group, your doctors will decide your treatment plan just as they normally would, without using ChatGPT. If you are in the ChatGPT-Assisted group, your doctors will still make their treatment plan, but they will also look at suggestions from ChatGPT. They might then adjust your plan based on the AI's advice.

Regardless of your group, you will receive your cancer treatment as planned by your medical team. The study will then follow your progress for up to 3 to 5 years. This means doctors will monitor how well your treatment is working (like if your cancer goes away or shrinks) and your generally health over this period. There are no extra visits or extra medicines you would need to take as part of this study itself, beyond your standard cancer care.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study offers both potential benefits and risks. A potential benefit is that for patients in the ChatGPT-assisted group, the AI's suggestions might help your doctor fine-tune your treatment plan, potentially leading to better outcomes over time, though this is what the study aims to find out. For all participants, contributing to this research helps advance our understanding of how technology can improve cancer care for future patients. There are no anticipated direct physical risks from taking part, as the study focuses on how treatment plans are made, not on experimental treatments. You always have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without it affecting your standard medical care.

Locations (7)

City of Hope
Verified postcode
Duarte, United States· Not yet recruiting
Jiangmen Central Hospital
Verified postcode
Jiangmen, China· Recruiting
The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University
Verified postcode
Zhuhai, China· Recruiting
Zhuhai People's Hospital
Verified postcode
Zhuhai, China· Recruiting
Peking University Cancer Hospital (Inner Mongolia Campus)
Verified postcode
Hohhot, China· Recruiting
University Hospital Magdeburg
Verified postcode
Magdeburg, Germany· Not yet recruiting
San Raffaele University Hospital, Italy
Verified postcode
Milan, Italy· Not yet recruiting

Common questions

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a type of computer program that can understand and generate human-like text. In this study, it's being used to suggest treatment plans for cancer patients.

Will ChatGPT treat my cancer?

No, ChatGPT will not treat you directly. It's a tool that helps your doctors in planning your treatment. All treatments will still be given by your medical team.

What kind of cancers are included?

This study is focused on people with stomach cancer (gastric cancer) or bowel cancer (colorectal cancer).

Will my information be kept private?

Yes, all your medical information used in the study will be handled carefully to protect your privacy and kept confidential.

Do I have to do anything extra if I join?

No, you don't need to do anything extra beyond your usual hospital appointments and treatments. The study uses information from your regular care.

How to find out more

Di Dong, PhD

di.dong@ia.ac.cn +86 13811833760 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.