Lyon, February 4 – On the occasion of World Cancer Day, research in cancerology is undergoing a major technological revolution, with two Lyon-based researchers at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to improve immunotherapy efficacy.
AI Becomes Indispensable Tool for Lyon Researchers
Pierre Saintigny, a medical oncologist at the Centre Léon Bérard, and Stéphane Dalle, a dermato-oncologist at the Hospices Civils de Lyon, have made AI an indispensable tool in their research at the Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL). Their work, supported by the ARC Foundation, exemplifies how this technology is transforming precision medicine.
This advancement is part of a national trend, with nearly 70% of French hospital establishments already employing AI in cancer care, according to a December 2025 Opinion Way study for the ARC Foundation titled “Cancer and AI: from Science Fiction to Clinical Practice.”
Predicting Immunotherapy Response with AI
Pierre Saintigny leads the FRAILIMMUNE-BIO project, which aims to predict immunotherapy response in patients with upper aerodigestive tract cancer who are too fragile for conventional treatments. By analyzing tumor samples from 120 patients using AI, his team is identifying biomarkers capable of predicting treatment effectiveness.
“AI has become an indispensable tool in my research work. I think there’s a point of no return; we cannot remain indifferent to its potential,” Saintigny stated. This project benefits from a 565,000 euro funding over three years from the ARC Foundation.
Tackling Melanoma Resistance
Stéphane Dalle, on the other hand, is addressing a significant challenge: 40% of melanoma patients develop resistance to immunotherapy. His INTEGRATE project, also financed by the ARC Foundation with 588,000 euros, uses AI to precisely characterize the interactions between tumor cells and immune cells.
“AI allows us to unlock the analysis of very large datasets, enabling integrative analyses of a vast number of parameters,” he explained, emphasizing the crucial role of bioinformaticians’ expertise in ensuring the proper use of these tools.
Public Awareness Lags Behind AI’s Impact in Cancer Care
While AI is already revolutionizing cancer care, the general public struggles to grasp the extent of this transformation. The Opinion Way study for the ARC Foundation revealed that nearly 7 out of 10 French people are unaware of AI’s current use in hospitals. More strikingly, 60% of those under 35 consider it a “gadget” in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
This lack of awareness contrasts sharply with the reality on the ground: almost 70% of French establishments already use AI for diagnosis or treatment. AI can notably detect certain cancers up to five years before symptoms appear.
A “Conceptual Shift” in Cancer Research
According to Éric Solary, an emeritus professor of hematology at Paris-Saclay Faculty of Medicine and Vice-President of the ARC Foundation, AI is expected to bring about a “conceptual shift” in the coming years. “Today, artificial intelligence is a performance-enhancing tool. It facilitates image analysis and the management of massive data generated by molecular analyses to guide the treatment of an ‘established’ cancer,” Solary explained.
He continued, “In the coming years, AI should cause a conceptual shift in cancer research. For a long time, this research focused almost exclusively on treatment, particularly improving the management of metastatic forms and cancers with poor prognoses. Tomorrow, AI could offer the opportunity to progress in prevention and screening. In the medium term, it should suggest strategies to eliminate certain cancers at a very early stage, even before they are clinically detectable.”
Solary also cautioned: “Its acceptance [of AI] requires adherence to rules of transparency and ethics.” The two Lyon researchers also stressed the importance of rigorous AI use. “These methods are complex and require methodological rigor. AI analyses must be carried out by skilled professionals who are able to understand its limits and dangers,” warned Pierre Saintigny.
Massive Investments in AI in France
France has mobilized 2.5 billion euros for artificial intelligence as part of the “France 2030” plan. In February 2025, ahead of the AI Action Summit in Paris, the President of the Republic announced that an additional 109 billion euros would be invested by private companies in the coming years.
In the hospital sector, 90% of establishments already use AI for diagnosis and monitoring across all diseases, and an equal number intend to launch new AI-based initiatives within one to three years. These figures attest to a profound transformation of the French healthcare system, with Lyon and its researchers playing a pioneering role.
Source: https://www.lyoncapitale.fr/actualite/ia-nouvelle-alliee-des-chercheurs-lyonnais-contre-le-cancer
