CanDETECT
Using AI to increase the precision and effectiveness of cancer recurrence monitoring for millions of cancer survivors
Project Overview
Updated March 31, 2023.
The project aimed to optimize the management and lessen the impact of cancer recurrence by developing a highly sensitive and accurate monitoring solution for millions of cancer survivors. Although the project group decided not to continue with this specific project, they are steadfast in their commitments to continue to support cancer patients.
The Problem
Nearly half of Canadians are expected to receive a diagnosis of cancer in their lifetime. In 2012, the cost of cancer care was $7.5 billion, with the highest cost resulting from late-stage cancer care. Recovery often depends on close monitoring of treatment response and detecting recurrence early on.
Current monitoring techniques include repeated imaging of a patient’s tumor to determine growth rate or the use of single biomarkers, which have limited accuracy. These approaches are costly and provide generic data on the presence of cancer with no specific treatment guide. Cancer care requires personalized treatment for a higher chance of success.
How We Are Solving It
Imagia Canexia Health, worked in partnership with BC Cancer Research, DNAstack, Microsoft, Queen’s University and University Health Network, to develop a precision oncology software. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, the software would have provided real-time assessments of tumor status and potential response to targeted therapies. The solution would have enabled clinicians to effectively detect earlier signs of patient relapse and recommend alternative treatment options for a wide range of cancers. Other supporting partners involved in this project includ Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Illumina, Kingston General Health Research Institute and Kingston Health Sciences Centre.
With harnessing AI, ML and big data it would better predict patient response by integrating and analyzing multimodal patient data. Through the power of predictive analytics, oncologists would’ve been be able to tailor treatments to individual patients, ensuring the best possible outcome, more accurately and at less cost than current solutions.
Project Lead
Project Partners
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“The AI-based oncology software being developed and tested as a part of the CanDETECT project will enable clinicians to perform a real-time assessment of tumor status, detect earlier signs of patient relapse and recommend alternative treatment options, ensuring the best possible outcome faster, more accurately and at less cost than current solutions,” said Geralyn Ochab, CEO of Imagia Canexia Health. “This ‘Made in Canada’ solution will transform cancer care for Canadians.”
CEO, Imagia Canexia Health