Scientists at Mass General Brigham have developed an AI tool called FaceAge that estimates a person's biological age from a photograph. This biological age reflects physiological condition and can offer insights into a patient's response to cancer treatment.
A new study reveals that the Face Aging Rate (FAR), which tracks changes in biological age from facial photos over time, can act as a non-invasive biomarker for cancer prognosis. Researchers analyzed photos of 2,276 cancer patients who received radiation therapy.
They found that patients' facial aging outpaced their chronological age by 40%, with a higher FAR linked to lower survival rates. This effect was strongest when photos were taken more than two years apart. Measuring FaceAge over time may help refine personalized treatment planning and patient counseling.
Additionally, FaceAge Deviation (FAD), which compares biological to chronological age in a single photo, was calculated. Patients with both high FAD and FAR values showed significantly poorer survival outcomes. FAR proved more reliable for longer intervals, suggesting dynamic measurements are key.
Scientists believe tracking FaceAge offers a cost-effective biomarker for health status. Continued study aims to explore its potential for other chronic diseases and healthy individuals. A web portal is now open for public submissions to contribute to research.