Optellum, a leading innovator in artificial intelligence (AI) and medical imaging for lung cancer, has secured joint funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Office for Life Sciences’ (OLS) new £148 million cancer programme to conduct a study on the impact of its AI product on early diagnosis of lung cancer. In partnership with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the AI product in relieving pressure on radiology departments and improving patient outcomes by enhancing diagnostic accuracy and supporting the early detection of cancers. The study will assess radiologists' ability to identify and characterise lung nodules (abnormal growth on the lung). Timely and accurate testing of lung nodules can help alleviate patient anxiety by ensuring prompt intervention and efficient use of NHS resources.
Professor Mike Lewis, Scientific Director for Innovation at NIHR, said: "Developing early diagnosis technologies that are closer to cancer patients is a key aim of this NIHR funding - the potential to find cancers earlier will give patients more choice of treatment and enable us to save lives in the future."
Addressing Challenges in Lung Cancer Care
Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer, with over 47,000 new cases and 35,000 deaths annually in the UK. Late diagnoses drive its high mortality rate, caused by the disease's tendency to remain asymptomatic until its advanced stages, lowering the chances of successful treatment.
To address this, Optellum's AI software assists radiologists in identifying and characterising lung nodules seen on CT scans, either as part of a lung cancer screening program or detected incidentally. The study will evaluate how Optellum's AI affects clinical judgment and helps prioritise cases while reducing unnecessary follow-ups.
Professor Andrew Scarsbrook, Consultant in Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: “The ability of Optellum’s AI software to effectively guide management recommendations for lung nodules at the point of detection could be a game changer, facilitating reduced time-to-diagnosis of early lung cancer and more efficient use of NHS resources.”
When deployed alongside Optellum's existing lung health product, Virtual Nodule Clinic, this AI will form part of an end-to-end platform, giving clinicians the right tools to identify, prioritize, and streamline patient care.
