AI-Powered Chest X-Rays Revolutionize Lung Cancer Detection
AstraZeneca, in collaboration with health-tech company Qure.ai, has successfully completed over 5 million AI-enabled chest X-rays (CXRs) across more than 20 countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. This initiative, part of the World Economic Forum’s EDISON Alliance 1 Billion Lives Challenge, highlights the potential of AI in enhancing early lung cancer detection, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings.
The screening program utilizes Qure.ai’s proprietary qXR® AI technology to analyze routine CXRs for signs of lung abnormalities, including nodules that may indicate cancer. Launched in 2020 under AstraZeneca’s A.Catalyst Network, the collaboration aims to support early identification of high-risk individuals and improve access to diagnostic follow-ups such as low-dose CT scans. Out of the 5 million scans conducted, nearly 50,000 individuals were identified with lung nodules at high risk for cancer and were referred for further diagnostic testing.
The program has seen successful implementations in countries such as Colombia, El Salvador, and India. AstraZeneca is now working closely with Ministries of Health and policymakers to scale this approach and integrate AI-enabled screening into national lung health strategies. By directing limited resources toward high-risk cases identified through AI, the initiative enhances the efficiency and reach of cancer detection efforts, especially in low- and middle-income countries where access to advanced imaging and specialists is often constrained.
“Reaching this milestone underscores our commitment to driving progress towards early detection, the first step on the path to ultimately improved patient outcomes,” said Ti Hwei How, Vice President, International Oncology, AstraZeneca. “Our collaboration with Qure.ai has validated the power of AI-enabled chest X-rays as a cost-effective triaging tool for early lung cancer detection.”
This achievement demonstrates how AI-driven healthcare solutions can bridge gaps in early detection and improve outcomes for diseases like lung cancer, reinforcing AstraZeneca’s global commitment to equitable cancer care and innovative health technology adoption.
