AI to Revolutionize Pancreatic Cancer Detection: TU/e Researchers Lead the Charge

AI to Revolutionize Pancreatic Cancer Detection: TU/e Researchers Lead the Charge

(IN BRIEF) Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) are developing AI-based solutions to improve the detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer, a highly deadly form of cancer. EngD candidate Victoria Bruno and PhD candidate Terese Hellström are collaborating with hospitals and medical professionals through the ACACIA project, part of the Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute (EAISI). Their AI system helps doctors identify tumors from CT scans and assess their severity, assisting in treatment planning without replacing doctors’ clinical judgment. The project benefits from real-time feedback from doctors, and a clinical trial is planned for the next year. Bruno, personally motivated by the loss of a family member to pancreatic cancer, views this project as more than just research—it’s a mission to help patients and families.

(PRESS RELEASE) EINDHOVEN, 19-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) are working on a groundbreaking project to use artificial intelligence (AI) in the detection and treatment planning for pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer. Led by EngD candidate Victoria Bruno and PhD candidate Terese Hellström, this research is part of the ACACIA project under the Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute (EAISI), with contributions from medical professionals and institutions including the Catharina Hospital and Philips.

Their AI-based system aims to assist doctors in identifying pancreatic tumors from CT scans and assessing their impact on surrounding tissues and blood vessels, helping to determine treatment options, such as surgery. While Hellström focuses on the technical development of the deep learning models, Bruno concentrates on designing a user-friendly interface that integrates the AI tool into doctors’ existing workflows without overriding clinical judgment.

The project highlights the unique collaboration between academia and hospitals, a feature that allows for real-time feedback from doctors and ensures that the technology addresses real-world needs. A clinical trial is planned for the coming year, with the researchers aiming for eventual implementation in healthcare settings.

Hellström and Bruno also emphasized that the technology is meant to assist rather than replace doctors, improving efficiency while maintaining physician control. The work is highly personal for Bruno, who sees it as a mission to help patients and their families after having witnessed the impact of pancreatic cancer firsthand.

Media Contact:

Nicole van Overveld
Science Information Officer
+31 (0)6 51 925 937
n.w.m.p.v.overveld@tue.nl

SOURCE: TU/e