PageRank and the fight against cancer

German scientists use a modified version of PageRank to scan tumors. This algorithm, NetRank, scans genes and proteins in cells and determines all the features of the links between them, just as PageRank scans web pages for hyperlinks. This approach can help in finding new ways to treat tumors.

Christoph Winter, MD, Lund University, Sweden:
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“At first, we experimented in every possible way and tried to invent our own algorithm for finding links. Then they decided that you should not reinvent the wheel when there is PageRank.

So far, research has focused on pancreatic tumors, the most common type of which, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, cause more than 130,000 deaths per year (Europe and the US).

The researchers used NetRank to analyze 20,000 proteins to determine approximate survival rates. After that, 7 proteins were identified that can help in assessing the "aggressiveness" of the tumor. And this assessment is a direct guide for doctors, it is worth to use chemotherapy, or not.

“The most surprising thing for me is the fact that the method used in one area (computer science) can be successfully used in a completely different area — in medicine,” said Christoph.

Winter also warned everyone against excessive optimism about this news - while we are not talking about the diagnosis or prevention of cancer, the algorithm is used only in cases with patients who already have a diagnosis.


via

PS

Who cares - the scientific article of these guys.