Fraunhofer ITWM develops AI-driven monitoring for pancreatic cancer care

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics (ITWM) are developing digital tools to support the palliative care of advanced pancreatic cancer patients as part of the EU-backed RELEVIUM project. Due to the aggressive nature of the disease and high mortality rates, the project aims to improve patient well-being through personalized intervention plans that address nutrition, physical activity, and pain management.

To bridge the gap between clinical visits, patients use smartwatches and smartphone applications to track their daily health status. The system utilizes Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) to analyze this real-time data, providing healthcare professionals with automated suggestions for adjusting supportive therapies. This creates a data-driven loop that allows for rapid adaptation to the patient's changing health profile.

Central to this approach is an AI-controlled exercise program developed in partnership with the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. The system uses feedback from training sessions to continuously refine activity levels, aiming to reduce fatigue and increase physical strength. Prof. Alexander Scherrer, Senior Consultant at Fraunhofer ITWM, noted that regular, adjusted exercise is a key factor in improving the daily quality of life for patients undergoing intensive cancer treatment.