AI-powered technology for early lung cancer detection now in PH

A breakthrough artificial intelligence (AI) technology that can help in the early detection of lung cancer is now available in the Philippines, where 23,728 new cases of the second most common form of cancer among Filipinos were recorded by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022 alone.

Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and private healthcare provider Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. (AC Health) teamed up last month with healthcare startup Qure.AI to bring qXR, the AI-assisted X-ray technology, to Healthway Cancer Care Hospital in Taguig City and Healthway Qualimed Hospital in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

The agreement was signed by Ti Hwei How, AstraZeneca vice president for International Oncology and Market Access; Lotis Ramin, AstraZeneca Philippines country president; and Paolo Borromeo, AC Health president and CEO.

Qure.AI’s qXR is the world’s most widely used AI for chest screenings in more than 2,000 health facilities in over 80 countries. Using deep learning techniques with more than 15 million chest x-rays, it can provide physicians with pre-read assistance in as fast as 20 seconds, detecting abnormalities in the lungs, heart, diaphragm and bones.

During normal screenings for lung cancer, radiologists will check a chest x-ray for abnormalities, particularly nodules.

“But sometimes, the radiologist may miss those nodules. And that’s where qXR will enter. The AI software will alert the radiologist, highlighting where the missed nodule is,” said Brahgava Reddy, Qure.AI chief business officer for oncology.

The patient will then undergo a computed tomography scan and lung biopsy, before an oncologist (a cancer specialist) may give a diagnosis.

Zero false positives

Reddy cited several studies of how the qXR was able to detect “95 percent” of abnormal nodules missed or mislabeled by radiologists, with zero false positives.

For Menchie Auste, senior vice president of nonprofit Cancer Coalition Philippines, making lung cancer screening faster and easier will persuade more people, especially smoking men who are more at risk, to get tested.

“Health literacy is a problem for people. Some people are afraid to undergo screening for lung cancer because they fear it will be like a major surgery,” she said.

Leading cause

According to WHO, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, accounting for the highest mortality rates in both men and women. It is often diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are already limited.

Lung cancer is also the second-most common cancer among Filipinos, and the top cause of death among those diagnosed with cancer, killing 20,953 in 2022 alone.

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QXR will be used as a triaging tool to promote better efficiencies on who should be screened using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan, which costs at least P10,000 and is offered by just a few hospitals in the country.

LDCT is found to reduce by 20 percent lung cancer deaths due to early diagnosis.

While experts have recommended using LDCT to screen for high-risk populations, it is still not widely implemented in routine lung cancer screening due to limited access.

AstraZeneca is part of the Lung Ambition Alliance, a global coalition which aims to accelerate progress in lung cancer survival rates and outcomes.

Borromeo said that patients benefit when innovation comes to healthcare, adding, “AC Medical Network and Healthway Cancer Care Hospital continue to deliver the best value oncology services because we work with some of the best partners all over the world, AstraZeneca being one of them.” INQ