#South Korea #Seoul #Breast Cancer #Lunit AI #Cancer Diagnostics

Lunit's AI Innovation in Breast Cancer Screening

In a remarkable advancement for medical technology, Lunit, a South Korean leader in AI solutions for healthcare, has achieved significant success in the deployment of its AI system, Lunit INSIGHT MMG, within one year of its clinical trial. Presenting findings at the esteemed RSNA 2024 Annual Meeting, the company highlighted its impact on breast cancer screening protocols at Capio St Göran Hospital in Sweden. This initiative serves not only to bolster cancer detection rates but also to reduce the strain on radiologists and enhance the overall efficiency of the screening process.

Background of the Study

The integration of AI in breast cancer screening began with the original ScreenTrustCAD trial, which took place between 2021 and 2022 and was published in The Lancet Digital Health. This trial was revolutionary as it demonstrated that AI could match or surpass the performance of traditional double-reading systems, typically involving two radiologists analyzing the same mammogram. Building upon these findings, Lunit's technology was fully adopted in mid-2023, marking the first clinical implementation of AI as an independent reader, effectively replacing one of the two traditional radiologists.

Noteworthy Outcomes from the Study

A follow-up analysis compared breast cancer screening metrics from two distinct nine-month intervals—July 2018 to March 2019, and July 2023 to March 2024. Here are some key results from the study that speak volumes about the effectiveness of AI in clinical practice:

• - Recall Rates: There was an 11% drop in recall rates, reducing unnecessary patient follow-ups from 2.8% to 2.5%. This change minimizes the anxiety often associated with false alarms in cancer screening.
• - Reduction in False Positives: The false positive rate was significantly reduced from 89.6% to 78.0%. This improvement reflects not only an elevation in the accuracy of screenings but also a more reliable diagnostic process.
• - Enhanced Positive Predictive Values (PPV): The PPV for recalls climbed from 16.9% to 22.1%, suggesting a more efficient screening approach with fewer needless recalls.
• - Cancer Detection Rates: A noteworthy increase of 15% in cancer detection rates was observed, going from 4.8 to 5.5 cancers detected per 1,000 women screened.
• - Decreased Reading Time: The integration of AI resulted in over a 36% reduction in overall reading time, enabling radiologists to devote their attention to more complex cases.

These results provide compelling evidence of AI's transformative potential in enhancing diagnostic accuracy as well as screening efficiency.

Importance of AI in Cancer Screening

The deployment of Lunit INSIGHT MMG represents a vital step forward in addressing the persistent shortage of radiologists—a challenge that is becoming increasingly pronounced as the demand for breast cancer screening surges. By substituting one human reader, the AI system not only upholds the stringent protocols of dual reading but also alleviates the workload on human practitioners, permitting them to focus their expertise on tackling more intricate diagnostic scenarios.

Dr. Karin Dembrower, a senior breast radiologist at Capio St Göran Hospital, stated, "AI has become an indispensable part of our screening program. These results showcase its potential for broader adoption." The new AI system has eradicated overtime demands, allowing for improved work-life balance for radiologists, which ultimately benefits both professionals and patients alike.

Commitment to Innovation

According to Lunit’s CEO, Brandon Suh, the follow-up analysis solidifies the role of AI as a critical partner in battling prevalent healthcare challenges such as radiologist shortages. The company remains focused on innovating technologies that empower clinicians, ensure better patient outcomes, and redefine the future of cancer screening. Lunit's journey began in 2013, and with their recent acquisition of Volpara Health Technologies, they are set to amplify their capabilities, particularly in the sphere of breast health.

As Lunit continues to pioneer advancements in AI-driven healthcare solutions, medical practitioners and patients around the globe are bound to benefit from the enhanced accuracy and efficiency these technologies bring to cancer diagnostics.

For further insights into Lunit's technological innovations, attendees can visit their exhibition at booth #4929 during the RSNA 2024 event held in Chicago, Illinois, from December 1 to December 6, 2024.