In Frontiers in Oncology, Nova Scholar Claudia Witt explores how emerging artificial intelligence tools known as digital twins could support more personalized care.
Digital twins are virtual models that simulate an individual patient’s health. While most cancer-focused digital twin research currently emphasizes tumor biology, genetics, and treatment response, the authors argue that these tools should also incorporate factors that influence whole-person health, such as physical activity, nutrition, sleep, stress, social relationships, living conditions, and personal preferences. This work suggests that integrating these broader dimensions could help improve treatment planning, care coordination, long-term monitoring, and patient self-care. At the same time, important challenges include data privacy, health equity, digital access, and the risk of oversimplifying complex human experiences. Realizing the potential of digital twins in integrative oncology will require strong ethical standards, better data systems, and collaboration across disciplines to ensure technology enhances, rather than replaces, human-centered cancer care.
