Wednesday, March 18, 2026

STAT+: European oncology experts roll out guidance for use of large language models in clinical care 

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) has always been at the forefront of providing guidance and support to its members. In yet another step towards promoting excellence in cancer care, ESMO has rolled out its first set of guidelines on the use of large language models for its members. This move is a significant step towards ensuring that European oncologists are equipped with the latest tools and techniques to provide the best possible care to their patients.

ESMO, being the leading professional organization for European oncologists, has always been committed to improving the standards of cancer care and promoting innovation in the field. With the rapid advancements in technology, it has become imperative for healthcare professionals to keep up with the latest developments. Large language models, also known as artificial intelligence (AI) language models, have gained significant attention in recent years for their potential to transform the healthcare industry.

These language models use artificial intelligence and natural language processing techniques to analyze large volumes of data and generate human-like text. This technology has shown promising results in various fields, including healthcare. However, its application in oncology has been limited, and there has been a lack of guidance on its appropriate use. ESMO’s new guidelines aim to bridge this gap and provide its members with a framework for effectively utilizing large language models in their practice.

The guidelines cover various aspects of using large language models in oncology, including data collection, training, and validation of the models. They also provide recommendations on how to interpret the results generated by these models and the importance of clinical validation. ESMO’s guidelines also emphasize the need for transparency and ethical considerations while using large language models.

ESMO’s President, Prof. Solange Peters, expressed her excitement about the launch of these guidelines, stating, “We are thrilled to introduce our first set of guidelines on the use of large language models for our members. These guidelines will serve as a valuable resource for oncologists, helping them to navigate the complexities of this technology and use it to its full potential.”

The guidelines were developed by a panel of experts from ESMO’s Artificial Intelligence Working Group, which comprises leading oncologists, data scientists, and experts in AI and natural language processing. They have taken into account the current state of research and the potential applications of large language models in oncology to create a comprehensive and evidence-based set of guidelines.

The use of large language models in oncology has the potential to revolutionize cancer care. These models can analyze vast amounts of data from various sources, including electronic health records, medical literature, and clinical trials, to assist oncologists in making accurate diagnoses and treatment decisions. They can also help predict treatment outcomes and identify potential side effects, allowing for personalized and precise treatment plans.

Moreover, large language models can also assist in identifying patterns and trends in cancer data, leading to new insights and advancements in cancer research. They can also help bridge the language barrier by translating medical texts into different languages, making valuable information accessible to a wider audience.

The guidelines by ESMO will not only aid its members in utilizing large language models effectively but also serve as a reference for other healthcare professionals. The society plans to update the guidelines regularly to keep up with the rapid advancements in this field.

In conclusion, ESMO’s first set of guidelines on the use of large language models is a significant step towards promoting innovation and excellence in cancer care. These guidelines will empower its members to use this technology to its full potential and improve patient outcomes. With ESMO’s continuous efforts towards promoting advancements in oncology, we can expect to see further developments in the use of large language models in the near future.

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