Interventional oncology update

AI and Interventional Radiology: A Narrative Review of Reviews on Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions

The integration of artificial intelligence in interventional radiology is an emerging field with transformative potential, aiming to make a great contribution to the health domain. This overview of reviews seeks to identify prevailing themes, opportunities, challenges, and recommendations related to the process of integration. Utilizing a standardized checklist and quality control procedures, this review examines recent advancements in, and future implications of, this domain. In total, 27 review studies were selected through the systematic process. Based on the overview, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in interventional radiology (IR) presents significant opportunities to enhance precision, efficiency, and personalization of procedures. AI automates tasks like catheter manipulation and needle placement, improving accuracy and reducing variability. It also integrates multiple imaging modalities, optimizing treatment planning and outcomes. AI aids intra-procedural guidance with advanced needle tracking and real-time image fusion. Robotics and automation in IR are advancing, though full autonomy in AI-guided systems has not been achieved. Despite these advancements, the integration of AI in IR is complex, involving imaging systems, robotics, and other technologies. This complexity requires a comprehensive certification and integration process. The role of regulatory bodies, scientific societies, and clinicians is essential to address these challenges. Standardized guidelines, clinician education, and careful AI assessment are necessary for safe integration. The future of AI in IR depends on developing standardized guidelines for medical devices and AI applications. Collaboration between certifying bodies, scientific societies, and legislative entities, as seen in the EU AI Act, will be crucial to tackling AI-specific challenges. Focusing on transparency, data governance, human oversight, and post-market monitoring will ensure AI integration in IR proceeds with safeguards, benefiting patient outcomes and advancing the field.

Radiology in the immune checkpoint inhibitor era

The field of oncology has undergone rapid changes following the introduction of immunotherapies and biologics. However, these changes have also created new roles for radiology in both diagnosis and treatment. Our article addresses the evolving role of radiology in the immune checkpoint inhibitor era of oncology. With the progression of new immunotherapies for cancer, imaging paradigms and image guided therapy options have changed. Multidisciplinary oncology teams should be aware of these opportunities for collaboration.