Multiple sclerosis: the EU turns to artificial intelligence for increasingly predictive and personalised therapies
- Milan Walraevens
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Using artificial intelligence (AI) to process a sufficiently large amount of data and build a harmonised database, with the goal of making the clinical management of multiple sclerosis more predictive and tailored to each patient, ultimately improving quality of life and preserving autonomy. This is the work underway within the observational, retrospective study RECLAIM, conducted by researchers from several European partner institutions.
The study integrates real-world healthcare data from routine clinical practice, structured data from observational studies, and data obtained from clinical trials. The construction of the database, launched last year, is continuously evolving. The project has now surpassed 55,000 MRI scans collected from over 7,500 individuals with multiple sclerosis, along with their available clinical data. All MRI data have been quantitatively analysed by icometrix, Belgium. Thanks to this wealth of information—which includes medical history, treatments, relapses, radiological examinations, retinal imaging (OCT), evoked potentials and other biomarkers—it will be possible to develop AI models capable of more accurately predicting disease progression in each patient, identifying the most effective therapies, and distinguishing deterioration due to inflammatory relapses from silent progression.
RECLAIM is conducted within the broader European project CLAIMS (Clinical Impact through AI-assisted MS Care), funded by the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI)—a public–private partnership between the European Commission, industry, and the scientific community—under the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation framework. The project brings together 15 organisations, including university hospitals, research institutes, biotech companies and foundations, coordinated by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Italy is represented by Casa di Cura IGEA in Milan and ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII in Bergamo, the latter being the only Italian public institution in the consortium.
“The aim is to bring precision medicine into everyday clinical practice, supporting more accurate diagnoses and quicker care pathways, improving therapeutic decisions and the quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis,” explained neurologist Dario Alimonti, principal investigator of the RECLAIM study for ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII. “The expected outcome is precision medicine that works in real life: more targeted therapies, safer decision-making processes and more effective monitoring of the disease, with benefits for both patients and healthcare systems.”
Wim Van Hecke, CEO of icometrix, added: “MRI is essential for tracking silent progression in MS. The CLAIMS project will move the field forward with measurements of both inflammatory and smouldering pathology. This innovative approach is key to enabling data-driven evaluations, giving patients the best chance to preserve their quality of life.”
Papa Giovanni XXIII contributes clinical data, MRI scans and examinations from over 400 of the 1,000 patients followed by its Multiple Sclerosis Centre. The study involves the Neurology Unit—represented by Dario Alimonti, Valeria Barcella and data manager Sara Mazzoleni—while the MRI scans are provided by the Neuroradiology Unit, led by Simonetta Gerevini, with data management by Paolo Patani. The inclusion and participation of Papa Giovanni XXIII in the European network were made possible by the Clinical Research Unit, directed by Monia Lorini, with coordination by Michele Cavadini. The European Commission has awarded Papa Giovanni XXIII a budget of €200,000 for the project.
“Investing in advanced tools and AI means providing professionals with a more precise 'compass' and patients with increasingly personalised and safe pathways, increasing the quality and timeliness of care – commented Francesco Locati, General Director of ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII. Among the most promising short-term prospects are areas of activity such as diagnostic imaging, predictive medicine, support for clinical decisions, translational research and the management of large health databases. We are introducing these technologies responsibly. In addition to this highly relevant international grant in Neurology - which is a source of pride for us - we are working in high-impact clinical areas such as oncology, with specific projects.”
Acknowledgment
The CLAIMS project is supported by the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking (IHI JU) under grant agreement No. 101112153. The IHI JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, as well as from COCIR, EFPIA, EuropaBio, MedTech Europe, Vaccines Europe, AB Science SA, and icometrix NV.
Davide Cremaschi - Ufficio stampa ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII
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