Predictive medicine – Mattias Rantalainen's research group

The Predictive Medicine group focuses on medical research that is driven by machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI) and large population representative data sets. Currently our research activities are in the areas of precision medicine and AI-based computational pathology.

Our research

The group develops and applies AI and machine learning methodologies for predictive modelling in biomedical applications, with a particular interest in precision medicine and cancer research.

Our mission is to drive the development and application of data-driven approaches in cancer precision medicine and to develop and validate novel patient stratification models, including prognostic and treatment predictive applications. To achieve this we develop methods and models that allow us to transform large biomedical data into clinically relevant predictions at the individual level. Our research also includes clinical translation and implementation of regulatory approved medical devices.

Common for our research projects is the use of large datasets (big-data) across multiple modalities including comprehensive molecular profiling (e.g. DNA- and RNA-sequencing), clinical information and medical imaging data (histopathology). 

Main research areas

Computational pathology

AI (deep learning) driven research focusing on developing and validating models in the domain of cancer histopathology. We focus on precision pathology, i.e. applications where the focus is to predict patient outcomes.  The research is based on large population representative studies (we have > 300,000 WSIs collected in-house). The main focus is on breast, prostate and colorectal cancer. We currently coordinate several national and international initiatives (www.chimestudy.se, www.abcap.org, www.swaipp.org/). 

Cancer precision medicine

Development and validation of predictive models for improved patient stratification, based on comprehensive molecular phenotyping data (e.g. DNA- and RNA-sequencing)

Publications

All publications from group members

Funding

Grants

  • Swedish Research Council
    1 December 2024 - 30 November 2028
    Breast cancer (BC) remains a global health challenge, with 7.8 million new cases annually. Despite treatment and screening advances that have gradually improved outcomes since the 1970s, many patients still do not survive their dissease, creating an urgent need for precision diagnostics to identify high-risk individuals and predict therapeutic responses. The Consortium for AI in Registry-Based Image Epidemiology Research in Breast Cancer (CARE-B) addresses this by combining registry data, histopathology images, and AI to improve BC characterization.CARE-B will establish an internationally unique large (up to 30,000 patients), multimodal multi-site database integrating clinical data, whole slide images (WSIs), and molecular profiles from breast cancer cohorts in Sweden, Denmark, and Scotland. The consortium will develop scalable AI models for cost-effective precision diagnostics, focusing on deep phenotyping of BC subtypes based on routine H&E stained histopathology slides, characterise intra-tumor heterogeneity (ITH), predicting treatment responses and for prognostic stratification.CARE-B will foster collaboration, support junior researchers, and advance epidemiological research and clinical translation. By leveraging AI and registry data, CARE-B aims to significantly impact BC research and clinical diagnostics, creating a foundation for future advances in precision medicine, while also building a research environment that take health-registry research to the next level.
  • VINNOVA
    1 September 2024 - 16 September 2027
  • Swedish Cancer Society
    1 January 2024
    Cancer is a leading cause of death globally. Precision medicine, which offers new (targeted) therapies, has the potential to improve cancer care. However, precision diagnostic solutions are required to be able to provide the right treatment to the right patient, and to be able to do it quickly, reliably and cost-effectively. Molecular diagnostics offer improved diagnostics, but at a high cost, which limits patient access and also places a high financial burden on healthcare systems. AI technology has the potential to offer new precision diagnostics that can reach broad patient groups. In this project, we develop and validate AI-based image analysis solutions for cancer diagnostics in breast and prostate cancer. Clinical pathology is undergoing a digital transition that enables the introduction of AI-based decision support tools for precision diagnostics at a fraction of the cost of molecular diagnostics. The project uses large and unique study materials consisting of histopathology images and clinical pathology data for the development and clinical validation of new AI-based precision diagnostic solutions. The project has the potential to contribute to improving diagnostics and cancer care and increased access to precision diagnostics. The goals of the projects are partly to build large studies that are the basis for studies in AI-based precision diagnostics, partly to develop solutions that improve prognostic and treatment predictive models for breast and prostate cancer.
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2023 - 31 December 2025
    Cancer is a leading cause of death globally. Precision medicine, offering novel (targeted) therapies, has the potential to substantially improve cancer patient outcomes. However, to be effective, precision diagnostic solutions for patient stratification (prognostic and predictive) are required. To improve outcomes for broad groups of patients, fast, reliable and cost-effective precision diagnostic solutions are needed. Current routine diagnosis of cancer is based on manual histopathological assessment, which is imprecise. Molecular diagnostics offers improved patient stratification, but at a high price, limiting patient access and imposing a high economic burden on healthcare systems. CHIME develops, validates and contributes to translation of AI-based image analysis solutions (computational pathology) for cancer diagnosis and patient stratification that meet current and future needs in clinical cancer precision medicine, trials and cancer research. Clinical pathology is undergoing a digital transition that enables translation of AI-based decision support tools for precision diagnostics at a fraction of the cost of molecular diagnostics. CHIME will leverage large and unique study materials (&gt
    400,000 histopathology images and clinical data with outcomes) for the development and validation of clinically relevant models for patient stratification in multiple cancer diseases. CHIME will contribute toward increased access to precision diagnostic and equality in cancer care.
  • Swedish Cancer Society
    1 January 2021
    Microscopic examination of stained tissue samples is the primary approach to cancer detection and diagnosis. However, there is a lack of pathology expertise at the same time as the manual review carried out in today's cancer care has a built-in degree of uncertainty and error because the assessments are difficult for the human eye. The uncertainty in the assessments leads to both over- and under-treatment, with potentially large consequences for individual patients. Access to expertise in pathology also varies across locations and over time, which can contribute to a degree of inequality in care. Rapid progress has been made in recent years in an area of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning referred to as “deep learning”. Deep learning models can now be trained to perform difficult prediction problems with reliability comparable to, or better than, humans in a variety of applications, including medical image analysis. These models may transform cancer care for the better in several areas. This project uses large-scale epidemiological studies for the development and validation of AI-based cancer diagnostics for breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer. The goal is that the research should be able to lead to AI-based decision support that can be used to improve the precision of today's routine diagnostics based on tissue samples, but also to the development of new diagnostic and prognostic models. The results will lead to safer diagnoses and increased access to high-quality cancer diagnostics. This will lead to reduced over- and under-treatment, and better patient outcomes.

Staff and contact

Group leader

All members of the group

Visiting address

Karolinska Institutet, Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Nobels väg 12A, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden

Postal address

Karolinska Institutet, Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, PO Box 281, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden

Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence Big Data Cancer and Oncology Epidemiology Epidemiology Machine Learning Medical Imaging Pathology Precision Medicine Public Health, Global Health and Social Medicine Show all
Content reviewer:
04-09-2025