University Hospitals Cleveland Taps AI For Early Lung Cancer Detection

What You Should Know:

–   University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (UH) has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with global healthcare Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovator Qure.ai to deploy chest X-ray AI supporting earlier identification of lung cancers. 

–  The FDA cleared chest X-ray AI solution qXR-LN will act as a second read, to be compared to the radiologists’ read of patient chest X-rays for any suspicious lung nodules. This will also provide evidence for future AI research. 

AI-Driven Lung Cancer Detection: Enhancing Early Diagnosis Through Chest X-Ray Analysis

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. While low-dose CT (LDCT) screening is the standard of care for high-risk individuals—such as current and former smokers—its uptake remains alarmingly low. Nationally, only 16 out of every 100 eligible individuals undergo screening, despite its proven benefits.

To address this gap, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate the qXR AI algorithm, an artificial intelligence tool designed to enhance pulmonary nodule detection on chest X-rays. The study will compare the algorithm’s detection accuracy to radiologists’ interpretations of the same images, assessing its potential to improve early diagnosis and expand screening accessibility.

“A more effective approach to lung cancer screening is critical to improving survival rates,” states Amit Gupta, MD, Division Chief of Cardiothoracic Imaging and Modality Director of Diagnostic Radiography at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. By integrating AI into diagnostic workflows, this research aims to refine screening strategies and increase early lung cancer detection.