Training AI to Detect Disease: Stand Up To Cancer’s Julian Adams

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Jun 11, 2025

Julian Adams, President and CEO of Stand Up To Cancer and a leading oncology researcher, shares insights on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in cancer detection. He discusses how AI enhances biopsy accuracy and early diagnosis, potentially leading to innovative treatments like therapeutic vaccines. Adams also explores advancements in liquid biopsies, improving cancer screening methods. The conversation highlights the evolution of patient-doctor interactions through technology, emphasizing the impact on healthcare outcomes.

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INSIGHT

AI Enhances Cancer Pattern Recognition

AI excels at pattern recognition in cancer detection through imaging like CT scans and microscope slides.
Computers improve accuracy by learning from thousands of images, outperforming the human eye.

INSIGHT

AI Learns Continuously for Detection

Training AI to detect cancer requires thousands of images initially, then tens of thousands prospectively.
Machines learn continuously and don’t suffer from human fatigue, enhancing detection precision.

INSIGHT

Early Detection Boosts Cancer Cure

Early detection of cancer increases cure rates to 90% at stage one when localized.
Detecting cancer before it spreads drastically improves treatment success.

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Julian Adams tried but didn’t succeed at retirement after a productive career as a medical chemist with several U.S. Food and Drug Association approvals of cancer-related treatments, including cell therapy for bone marrow transplantation. Soon after, his participation in a Stand Up To Cancer advisory group led to his appointment as the nonprofit’s president and CEO.

The research organization raises money to advance the diagnosis of numerous cancers. Given rapid technological advancements, our podcast hosts were eager to invite Julian on the show to share how Stand Up To Cancer uses artificial intelligence to aid in this pursuit. Read the episode transcript here.

For more information on Stand Up To Cancer and how to donate to the organization, please visit this website.

Guest bio

Julian Adams, president and CEO of Stand Up To Cancer, is among the world’s foremost oncology researchers. He was previously CEO of biopharmaceutical company Gamida Cell and president of R&D at Infinity Pharmaceuticals, where he oversaw development of small molecule drugs to treat cancer. He has also held roles at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim, LeukoSite, and ProScript.

Adams’s recognitions include the 2012 Warren Alpert Foundation Prize for his role in the discovery and development of bortezomib, an anti-cancer drug; the 2012 C. Chester Stock Award Lectureship from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; and the 2001 Ribbon of Hope Award for Velcade from the International Myeloma Foundation. He holds more than 40 patents and has authored more than 130 papers and book chapters. He received his bachelor’s degree and an honorary doctor of science degree from McGill University and his Ph.D. from MIT in synthetic organic chemistry.

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