Researchers believe new AI software could help doctors detect lung cancer at an earlier stage and deliver more effective treatments for patients.

Lung cancer is the deadliest type of cancer. In the UK, 47,000 people are newly diagnosed each year, with over 35,000 dying from it. The low survival rate for lung cancer is because it is often detected late.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is supporting the DOLCE study, which is investigating a new software programme to help analyse if spots on the lung found on CT scans are cancerous. Researchers hope the results could save lives and help the NHS save money by avoiding unnecessary procedures. The NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) South London helped recruit volunteers to the study.

The study is led by Chief Investigator Professor David Baldwin at Nottingham University Hospitals in partnership with Optellum lung AI software.

Dr Richard Lee, a Consultant Physician in Respiratory Medicine and Champion for Early Cancer Diagnosis at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and NIHR National Specialty Lead for Screening, Prevention and Early Detection, is the study’s Local Principal Investigator.  Dr Lee said:

“This technology could help us to spot cancer at an earlier stage, when treatment is likely to be more effective, by allowing us to invite people for investigation sooner.

“Often, when we find spots on the lung from a CT scan, the person will require follow-up imaging, which can take many months and can cause worry. The hope is an earlier AI decision could help to speed things up.

“A current challenge for consultants is correctly identifying lung cancer from these spots on the CT scans. An automated approach could reduce variability and provide a safety net for these decisions. The software offers us many opportunities, but research is critical to ensure that we make the most of these evolving technologies with the scientific proof that they are effective.”

Further information
For further information, contact Lewis Deakin, Communications Manager at the NIHR.

 Notes to Editors
The NIHR CRN South London helps increase the opportunities for people to take part in health and care research.

DOLCE study

• Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust sponsors the DOLCE study. You can learn more on Nottingham University Hospital’s website.
• “In the UK, 47,000 people are newly diagnosed with lung cancer each year, with over 35,000 dying from it.” – Nottingham University Hospital’s website.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:

• Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;
• Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;
• Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;
• Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;
• Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system;
• Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low and middle income countries.

NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government.

About The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Marsden opened its doors in 1851 as the world’s first hospital dedicated to cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and education.

Today, together with its academic partner, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), it is the largest and most comprehensive cancer centre in Europe seeing and treating over 59,000 NHS and private patients every year.  It is a centre of excellence with an international reputation for groundbreaking research and pioneering the very latest in cancer treatments and technologies.

The Royal Marsden, with the ICR, is the only National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre for Cancer. This supports pioneering research work carried out over a number of different cancer themes. The NIHR-supported Early Diagnosis & Detection (ED&D) Centre at The Royal Marsden and The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, partly funds the centre.

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity raises money solely to support The Royal Marsden, a world-leading cancer centre.  It ensures Royal Marsden nurses, doctors and research teams can provide the very best care and develop life-saving treatments, which are used across the UK and around the world. From funding state-of-the-art equipment and ground-breaking research, to creating the very best patient environments, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity will never stop looking for ways to improve the lives of people affected by cancer