Diagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis of machine learning in predicting biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer

Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most prevalent malignant tumor in males, and many patients remain at risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) following initial treatment. Accurate prediction of BCR is vital for effective clinical management and treatment planning. This study evaluates the effectiv...

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Main Authors: Chenyang Ling, Ning Tao, Abudukeyoumu Maimaitiyimin, Yifan Zhang, Miao Yao, Hongyu Pu, Xiaodong Li, Yujie Wang, Hengqing An
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11445-5
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author Chenyang Ling
Ning Tao
Abudukeyoumu Maimaitiyimin
Yifan Zhang
Miao Yao
Hongyu Pu
Xiaodong Li
Yujie Wang
Hengqing An
author_facet Chenyang Ling
Ning Tao
Abudukeyoumu Maimaitiyimin
Yifan Zhang
Miao Yao
Hongyu Pu
Xiaodong Li
Yujie Wang
Hengqing An
author_sort Chenyang Ling
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most prevalent malignant tumor in males, and many patients remain at risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) following initial treatment. Accurate prediction of BCR is vital for effective clinical management and treatment planning. This study evaluates the effectiveness of machine learning (ML) models in predicting BCR among prostate cancer patients, comparing their performance to traditional prognostic methods. We systematically searched four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane) for studies employing ML techniques to predict prostate cancer BCR. Data extraction included model type, sample size, and the area under the curve (AUC). A meta-analysis was conducted using AUC as the primary performance metric to assess predictive accuracy and heterogeneity across models. Sixteen studies comprising a total of 17,316 prostate cancer patients were included. The pooled AUC for ML models was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.81–0.84). Deep learning and hybrid models outperformed traditional models (AUC = 0.83). Models using imaging data showed improved performance (AUC = 0.82). ML models were most effective in predicting 1-year BCR (AUC = 0.86), with performance slightly decreasing for longer time intervals. ML models outperform traditional methods in predicting BCR, especially in the short term. Incorporating multimodal data, such as imaging, enhances predictive accuracy. Future studies should optimize and validate these models through large-scale clinical trials.
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spelling doaj-art-0bf642e13f3d40e1a4968ba0ee94e0c12025-08-20T04:01:52ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-11445-5Diagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis of machine learning in predicting biochemical recurrence of prostate cancerChenyang Ling0Ning Tao1Abudukeyoumu Maimaitiyimin2Yifan Zhang3Miao Yao4Hongyu Pu5Xiaodong Li6Yujie Wang7Hengqing An8Department of Urological, Urology Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityXinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Urological, Urology Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityXinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Urological, Urology Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Urological, Urology Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Urological, Urology Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Urological, Urology Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Urological, Urology Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityAbstract Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most prevalent malignant tumor in males, and many patients remain at risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) following initial treatment. Accurate prediction of BCR is vital for effective clinical management and treatment planning. This study evaluates the effectiveness of machine learning (ML) models in predicting BCR among prostate cancer patients, comparing their performance to traditional prognostic methods. We systematically searched four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane) for studies employing ML techniques to predict prostate cancer BCR. Data extraction included model type, sample size, and the area under the curve (AUC). A meta-analysis was conducted using AUC as the primary performance metric to assess predictive accuracy and heterogeneity across models. Sixteen studies comprising a total of 17,316 prostate cancer patients were included. The pooled AUC for ML models was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.81–0.84). Deep learning and hybrid models outperformed traditional models (AUC = 0.83). Models using imaging data showed improved performance (AUC = 0.82). ML models were most effective in predicting 1-year BCR (AUC = 0.86), with performance slightly decreasing for longer time intervals. ML models outperform traditional methods in predicting BCR, especially in the short term. Incorporating multimodal data, such as imaging, enhances predictive accuracy. Future studies should optimize and validate these models through large-scale clinical trials.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11445-5
spellingShingle Chenyang Ling
Ning Tao
Abudukeyoumu Maimaitiyimin
Yifan Zhang
Miao Yao
Hongyu Pu
Xiaodong Li
Yujie Wang
Hengqing An
Diagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis of machine learning in predicting biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer
Scientific Reports
title Diagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis of machine learning in predicting biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer
title_full Diagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis of machine learning in predicting biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer
title_fullStr Diagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis of machine learning in predicting biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer
title_full_unstemmed Diagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis of machine learning in predicting biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer
title_short Diagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis of machine learning in predicting biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer
title_sort diagnostic systematic review and meta analysis of machine learning in predicting biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11445-5
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