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A new artificial intelligence (AI) tool, MILTON, has been developed to detect early signs of more than 1,000 diseases long before symptoms appear, according to recent research. This advanced algorithm, created by AstraZeneca, analyses routine patient test results to predict diseases with a high degree of accuracy, potentially allowing for early intervention and preventative treatment.
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How MILTON Works
MILTON scans patient data from routine clinical biomarkers, such as blood and urine tests, blood pressure, and respiratory function, combined with information on age, sex, and weight. The tool also analyses data from 3,000 proteins found in blood plasma, which are essential to various body functions, including immune and hormonal systems.
Using health data from 500,000 participants in the UK Biobank, the AI tool identified subtle patterns in these biomarkers that would otherwise go unnoticed. These patterns were linked to diseases diagnosed in patients up to a decade later. The AI’s predictive performance was considered “exceptional” for 121 diseases and “highly predictive” for another 1,091, as per the findings published in Nature Genetics.
Applications in Early Disease Detection
Slave Petrovski, who led the research, explained that diseases often develop long before they manifest clinically. For example, diseases like Alzheimer’s, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease can be detected in early stages through blood biomarkers. “We can pick up signatures in an individual that are highly predictive of developing diseases,” Petrovski said.
The addition of the 3,000 protein analyses further enhances the AI’s accuracy in predicting future health risks, offering a significant improvement in disease detection without drastically increasing the cost of routine tests.
Potential for Preventative Treatment
One of the most promising aspects of MILTON is its ability to allow earlier interventions. By detecting diseases in their earliest stages, it may be possible to combine lifestyle changes with pharmaceutical treatments to prevent diseases from progressing. Petrovski emphasized that the goal is to manage diseases before they become difficult to reverse.
However, AstraZeneca stresses that MILTON is still a research tool, and more studies are needed before it can be used in clinical practice.
Caution Around Predictive Claims
Experts urge caution about the tool’s predictive capabilities. Professor Tim Frayling, a genetics expert at the University of Exeter, noted that while MILTON provides a more informed idea of disease risk, there are still many unknown factors. “This approach will likely have more impact on improving our knowledge of how diseases develop rather than who exactly will develop them,” he said.
While MILTON represents a significant step forward in early disease detection, it is still in the research phase. The tool has the potential to transform healthcare by enabling preventative treatments, giving patients a better chance to manage their health before diseases progress. As more research is conducted, MILTON could become a valuable asset in fighting diseases and enhancing the quality of life through early diagnosis and treatment.