Using Retrieval-Augmented Generation to Capture Molecularly-Driven Treatment Relationships for Precision Oncology

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2024 Aug 22:316:983-987. doi: 10.3233/SHTI240575.

Abstract

Modern generative artificial intelligence techniques like retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) may be applied in support of precision oncology treatment discussions. Experts routinely review published literature for evidence and recommendations of treatments in a labor-intensive process. A RAG pipeline may help reduce this effort by providing chunks of text from these publications to an off-the-shelf large language model (LLM), allowing it to answer related questions without any fine-tuning. This potential application is demonstrated by retrieving treatment relationships from a trusted data source (OncoKB) and reproducing over 80% of them by asking simple questions to an untrained Llama 2 model with access to relevant abstracts.

Keywords: Large Language Models; Precision Oncology; Retrieval-Augmented Generation.

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Data Mining / methods
  • Humans
  • Information Storage and Retrieval / methods
  • Medical Oncology*
  • Natural Language Processing*
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Precision Medicine*