3 case studies prove that using VR to fight cancer is a good idea but it has limited effect

▼ 3 cases proved: Using VR to fight cancer is a good idea but its function is limited from Baidu VR Scientists use the latest technology to treat cancer is always the news of Xidanpuben, but VR and cancer treatment seem to have nothing to do. However, researchers at Cambridge University are currently exploring the use of VR technology in the treatment of cancer. Greg Hannon, chief researcher of the project, said: "We hope to create interactive, realistic 3D tumor maps. Scientists can 'walk into' tumors in a virtual reality environment and study their details." From the process point of view, tumors are first cut into extremely thin sections, and these sections are then imaged and analyzed until the genetic composition of each cell is analyzed. All slices will be assembled into a 3D model, allowing researchers to conduct research and experiments in a virtual environment. Of course, this research at Cambridge University is not the latest achievement. They hope to provide more detailed details and interactivity. In principle, the treatment of cancer through VR is more about displaying the process of cancerous lesions, which allows scientists to more intuitively understand the "root cause" and determine the treatment plan. It is not like the media say "God-god". Use "shock" or "subversion" to describe it. Xiao Bian has compiled some cases that have already been tested and the basic principles are similar. How Oculus mutations occur in Oculus applications Researchers at the Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City have begun using VR technology to better understand the status of cancer gene mutations. They developed a new program for Oculus helmets that allows users to see and interact with the 3D models of microscopic proteins. This project is called "IPM VR," meaning "VR Institute for Precision Medicine." It is designed to make it easier for researchers to determine where mutations have occurred in patients' DNA, and how mutations occur. This leads to cancer and their goals. It is to help doctors across the country better understand mutations so that they can quickly find the best treatment to attack the disease. From a medical point of view, everyone has some DNA mutations. Some are hereditary, others are caused by environmental factors such as smoking or exposure to the sun, while others are only new forms of cell formation spontaneously. Most of these are benign, but the wrong combination of mutations can sometimes lead to uncontrolled growth of cells in specific organs or areas, eventually inhibiting normal body functions. This uncontrolled growth process is cancer. By observing the protein—a molecular building block created by genetic instructions in our DNA—you can learn which mutations are harmful. Olivier Iellimont, the founder of the technology, said: "Mutations at the DNA level have no effect. Only when genes are transcribed to form proteins, will these mutations begin to express themselves." The structure of the protein is three-dimensional, but it is usually printed on paper. If clinicians do not see the 3D protein model, they cannot fully understand the impact of the mutation. It is in this context that scientists at Cornell Center have developed IPM VR to provide researchers and clinicians with an immersive approach to examining unique mutations in patients. The Oculus helmet is equipped with a motion sensor that can detect which direction you are looking at. The IPM VR also uses some external cameras (not in the helmet) to further track your body and hand movements. After the researchers sequenced all the genes in the patient's tumor, the software projected all the mutations onto a specific protein model. Researchers can download digital archives of 3D protein shapes from protein databases. After the clinician puts on the VR helmet, he can change the view and choose whether to see only mutation hotspots or simply see a mutation. They can move the simulated protein by hand and arm. If you want to see more information, the clinician can extract two-dimensional "documents" about the patient from the electronic medical record - a report about the type of cancer or the patient's medical history. Researchers use VR to walk on cancer cells Dr. Samuel Aparicio of Aparicio is a breast cancer researcher and Dr. Papario developed a virtual reality 3D imaging technology for real breast cancer tumors. "We have adjusted it to show that we are studying those tumors and seeing each single cell," Dr. Aparicio said. The cancer cells are small, but they are very strong. This technique can enlarge cancer cells by millions of times, and it also allows you to walk on and in the cancer cells. Once in the VR scan imaging of the tumor, researchers can use color to encode different types of cells. The macrophage in the picture is blue This 3D image is not a model of a breast cancer tumor but a real tumor, converted from MRI and CAT scan imaging to VR imaging display. All cells are initially shown in black and white. If researchers want to see a specific set of cells, whether they are macrophages, blood cells, or other cells, they can use different colors to distinguish different cells. Dr. Aparicio said that with this new and more detailed method for observing tumors, scientists can find new ways to diagnose and treat diseases. Aparicio (right) and laboratory assistants use virtual reality to walk within a breast cancer tumor Dr. Aparicio said that people often ask him how this technology will advance cancer research. "We have some basic goals," he said. "Predict how cancer behaves in individual patients and combine different treatments to prevent cancer from deteriorating over time." When he "enters" the cancer cell, other researchers can enter the cell to view the same 3D data at close range. "We think about how to deal with it in different ways," he said. "And it's also good for promoting cooperation. If someone says, 'I think of a solution', it's easier to look at his ideas in the past." Dr. Apraricio has extensive experience in breast cancer, so the team focused on breast cancer. VR project encourages cancer patients In addition to 3D visualization of the cancerous process, VR can also have a role in the treatment of cancer from a spiritual perspective. The University of Southern California’s Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and a non-profit organization have launched a VR project for young people. The project, called AYA @ USC, aims to use state-of-the-art media technology to provide patients with certain movies and interactive VR experiences, and to use high-quality entertainment activities to reduce patient discomfort and anxiety. David Freyer, a professor of medicine at the University’s Keck School of Medicine, said: “This project is about treating people as a whole, not just cancer. It can emotionally benefit our patients. These benefits cannot be achieved simply by drugs." The pilot project will begin this fall with a three-month trial in outpatient and non-hospitalized patients. The non-profit organization Springbok Cares will provide VR equipment, content libraries and personnel for patients at this cancer center free of charge. Clinical staff of the Cancer Center will approve and supervise the use of these devices to ensure the safety of patients. Springbok Cares has entered into partnerships with various content providers and sponsors, and the content library for this project will continue to grow. James Hu, assistant professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine, said: "In addition to providing patients with a richer experience, this VR project can also bring tangible clinical benefits to young cancer patients." Research has proven that VR can provide some help in the face of many challenges in medicine, psychology, and education, including reducing cancer patients' side effects and fatigue after chemotherapy. After gaining a VR experience, the mood of cancer patients has improved and negative psychological symptoms have also decreased. Steven-Charles Jaffe, chief operating officer of Springbok Entertainment, said: "My daughter had had cancer and I am very pleased to be able to cooperate with the Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Keck School of Medicine to carry out this breakthrough. Project During the fight between my daughter and cancer, I learned that there are some gaps in the recreational activities that the patients need to fill, and this project hopes to fill this gap.VR technology can 'virtual transfer' patients to the environment outside the hospital , to create a positive experience for patients Among Americans between the ages of 15 and 39, the biggest culprit in the causes of death related to illness is cancer. More than 70,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year in this age group, including about 4,000 people in the Los Angeles area each year. It can be seen from the above cases that VR is more from the 3D imaging and spirit level, and has some effects on the treatment of cancer, but it is not decisive. After all, the process of understanding the pathological changes does not necessarily have to be achieved through VR, but the spirit level. The adjustment, VR is not necessarily the best choice, but that VR provides more than a way to treat cancer, far can not use "subversion", "revolutionary" to describe this word.