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NCCN Policy Summit: The Future of AI in Cancer Care

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), an alliance of leading cancer centers, recently hosted a pivotal Policy Summit centered on the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in cancer care. Experts from various sectors came together in Washington on September 9, 2025, to discuss the current functionality of AI tools and their potential future applications in oncology, highlighting both the advantages and challenges they present.

Dr. Travis Osterman, the Director of Cancer Clinical Informatics at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, delivered a keynote that emphasized the revolutionary moment we are in with AI in oncology. He pointed out that AI isn't just a future prospect; it's actively reshaping how healthcare is delivered right now. Thoughtful regulation is necessary to ensure that AI integration into clinical practices enhances patient care and supports oncology professionals. "The decisions we make now will determine how AI innovations serve our patients for years to come," said Dr. Osterman.

William Walders, Chief Digital and Information Officer at The Joint Commission, echoed this sentiment. He confirmed that AI is already assisting in identifying cancers at earlier stages, personalizing treatments, and alleviating the workload for physicians. Walders advocated for the establishment of robust guidelines to ensure that AI works alongside human care rather than undermining it. His focus remained on patient safety, trust, and high-quality outcomes as essential guardrails for AI's role in cancer treatment.

AI's rapid progression was a recurring theme among the speakers. Experts compared the arrival of AI in oncology to the monumental shift from paper records to electronic medical records, suggesting similar transformative potential. Jorge Reis-Filho, Chief AI and Data Scientist at AstraZeneca, highlighted how powerful AI can be in developing new clinical strategies and understanding cancer biology better. With AI technology advancing, there are unparalleled opportunities for clinical development and proactive patient care.

Danielle Bitterman, Clinical Lead for Data Science/AI at Mass General Brigham, stressed AI's vast possibilities for optimizing cancer care by increasing access to clinical trials and streamlining complex processes for both patients and research teams. She anticipated new methodologies for AI exploitation, ensuring responsible and efficacious use of patient data.

However, not all feedback was entirely positive. Regina Barzilay from MIT raised concerns regarding the pace of AI integration into real-world patient care, arguing that many potentially transformative AI technologies are still underutilized. She urged for clear guidelines to expedite adoption, ensuring that innovations quickly transition into practical applications in oncology.

Panelists also discussed numerous challenges linked to the adoption of AI, including concerns over quality control, the need for suitable regulatory oversight, partnerships between tech and healthcare organizations, equitable access to technology, and human bias in AI systems. Allen Rush, Co-Founder of the Jacqueline Rush Lynch Syndrome Cancer Foundation, pointed out that to unlock AI's full potential, collaboration with non-medical industry experts is necessary to refine tools and drive continuous learning.

As part of these discussions, the topic of AI’s place in oncology will extend into future NCCN conferences, bringing attention to critical issues that veterans and first responders face in cancer care.

In conclusion, the NCCN Policy Summit served as a vital platform for understanding the multifaceted role of AI in cancer treatment. As the technology rapidly evolves, the ongoing dialogue among healthcare professionals and technologists will be essential in shaping effective and equitable cancer care practices—ultimately benefitting patients everywhere. For more details, visit NCCN.org.