Aug 2026· Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute· Vol 38· 0 citations· 92 references
Medicine
TL;DR
This review synthesizes key developments in ML for oncology, covering foundational algorithms alongside emerging approaches, and describes future directions, including federated learning, graph neural networks, longitudinal modeling, and integration of real-world and wearable data to support precision oncology.
Abstract
Machine learning (ML) is transforming cancer research and care by enabling analysis of complex, high-dimensional datasets spanning genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, imaging, and clinical records. By improving risk stratification, accelerating detection and diagnosis, and supporting treatment selection, ML has the potential to enhance survival outcomes while increasing efficiency across oncology workflows. This review synthesizes key developments in ML for oncology, covering foundational algorithms alongside emerging approaches. We highlight major application areas including early cancer detection, tumor classification, molecular subtyping, biomarker discovery, prognosis estimation, multi-omics integration, computational pathology, pharmacogenomics, and clinical decision support. We also summarize commonly used datasets, discuss the importance of interpretability for clinical trust, and outline barriers to translation such as data heterogeneity, bias, and regulatory constraints. Finally, we describe future directions, including federated learning, graph neural networks, longitudinal modeling, and integration of real-world and wearable data to support precision oncology. This review is intended for cancer researchers, clinicians, and data scientists seeking a practical overview of ML methods, opportunities, and translational considerations in oncology.
The discussion on precision oncology integrates multiomics technologies and artificial intelligence, specifically addressing biomarker discovery and personalized therapeutic strategies. In this way, clinical translation and multiomics biomarkers are reconstructed challenges such as heterogeneity, validate, algorithmic bias, regulatory complexities, and ethical issues. This review critically evaluates how advanced technologies operating in an integrated manner facilitate precision oncology by supporting fields such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and radiomics. To conduct the study, we performed literature search using standard databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, focusing on papers published between 2020 and 2025. We address the all aspects of biomarker identification and clinical applications; we employed a five-stage framework comprising multiparametric data generation, integration, biomarker discovery, rigorous validation, and regulatory implementation. To further examine this review, we have employed emerging computational approaches, including machine learning and deep learning and graph neural networks alongside regulatory frameworks and ethical, legal, and social considerations. Discussing translation barriers, we consider factors such as limited reproducibility, validation, and critical discussion particularly studies. Ultimately, a future model based on standardized, validated, and transparent learning strategies accelerates and fosters the development of clinically reliable standards. Our review provides an integrative roadmap for modern, multiomics-driven biomarker approaches in precision oncology practice.
Ujwal Havelikar, Atharva A. Shinde, Hrushikesh Mhaismale et al.· Omics· 0 citations
Precision phenomics is introduced as a unifying framework that links molecular, spatial, functional, and clinical characteristics of tumors to support personalized cancer management and has the potential to transform lung cancer research and improve patient outcomes.
Big data in cancer genomics offer substantial potential to advance precision oncology by enabling more accurate and personalized treatment strategies, however, overcoming technical, ethical, and infrastructural barriers is essential to ensure effective translation into clinical practice and equitable healthcare outcomes.
Nur Vanu, Nur Mohammad, Fahad Ahmed et al.· Computational and Systems On...· 0 citations
The reviewed studies demonstrated that Deep learning approaches, particularly convolutional neural networks, transformer-based models, and multimodal frameworks, showed improved predictive accuracy when large and diverse datasets were available.
Tehreem Khan, Tayyaba Usman, Ifrah Khalid et al.· Discover Artificial Intellig...· 0 citations
Overall, AI is becoming an integral component of modern oncology, particularly radiation oncology, and its successful integration into routine clinical practice will require robust validation, transparent governance, equitable implementation, and continued clinician oversight to ensure safe, effective, and patient-centred cancer care.
K. Rastogi· The Rise of Artificial Intel...· 0 citations
Cancer remains a major global health burden, with approximately 20 million new cases and 9.7 million cancer-related deaths reported globally in 2022. While advances in radiological imaging, molecular profiling, and clinical data have enhanced the interpretation of disease progression, the availability of multiple such modalities still does not meet the needs of a large patient population. This narrative review focuses on the role of multimodal artificial intelligence and machine learning in bridging the gap in interpreting heterogeneous modalities to improve risk prediction, prognostic assessment, and treatment decision-making in precision oncology. Multimodal frameworks such as Pathomic Fusion illustrate how complementary histopathological and genomic information can be integrated for cancer diagnosis and prognostic modeling. Multimodal models have demonstrated potential in virtual biopsy, cancer screening, prognostic prediction, radiotherapy planning, intraoperative guidance, and clinical-trial design using digital twins and synthetic control arms. The major limitations of incorporating multimodal artificial intelligence and machine learning in oncology include data heterogeneity, demographic or institutional biases, and reproducibility challenges that hinder translation. Accordingly, appropriate data-governance strategies, fairness audits, and privacy-preserving approaches such as federated learning should be considered where appropriate. Future progress will depend on the development of standardized benchmarking datasets, robust external validation, seamless integration with electronic health records and picture archiving and communication systems, and the implementation of explainable, secure, and clinically validated multimodal artificial intelligence frameworks that support precision oncology in routine clinical practice.
Shruthi Suresh, A. S. Parvathy, Megha Raj et al.· Frontiers in Digital Health· 0 citations
