Catharina Hospital and 黑料福利网 receive over 鈧�1.3 million for pancreatic cancer research
AI research in 25 Dutch hospitals aims to achieve a breakthrough in the early detection of pancreatic cancer
Catharina Hospital and Eindhoven University of Technology (黑料福利网) have received a grant of 鈧�1,331,931.50 from KWF Dutch Cancer Society for an innovative study on the early detection of pancreatic cancer using artificial intelligence (AI). The five-year research, led by professor and oncologic surgeon Misha Luyer, focuses on improving the diagnosis of one of the deadliest forms of cancer.
This collaboration brings together the medical expertise of Catharina Hospital and the technological knowledge of 黑料福利网. In earlier research, the team developed an AI program that automatically analyzes abdominal CT scans and assists in detecting tumors in the head of the pancreas. This project will investigate whether radiologists can detect tumors earlier and more reliably with the help of this AI program than without it. The study will be conducted in 25 hospitals across the Netherlands and will involve more than 3,750 patients.
Why this research is important
Pancreatic cancer has an extremely poor prognosis: fewer than five percent of patients are still alive five years after diagnosis. This is mainly because the disease is often detected at a late stage. Early symptoms are vague, and tumors are difficult to see on CT scans, which frequently leads to delayed diagnosis. The earlier a tumor is detected, the greater the chance of curative treatment.
For patients, this new research could mean faster and more reliable diagnoses, fewer unnecessary tests, and a greater chance of receiving potentially curative treatment. For society, it could lead to improved survival rates and possibly lower healthcare costs.
鈥淭his is fantastic news for our research. Thanks to this grant, we can, for the first time in the Netherlands, test on such a large scale whether AI truly helps detect pancreatic cancer at an earlier stage. This could represent a major step forward for patients and for healthcare in the Netherlands,鈥� says , professor and oncologic surgeon.
Carla van Gils, Director of KWF Cancer Society:
鈥淲ith pancreatic cancer, the urgency is extremely high: survival rates remain low, and progress requires a fundamentally new approach. That is why KWF invests in research that brings together medical care and technological innovation on a nationwide scale. This funding comes from the Alpe d鈥橦uZes/KWF fund and enables research that is not only scientifically innovative, but also focused on improving outcomes for patients.鈥�
NOTE TO THE PRESS
For more information about this press release, please contact:
Geert Piek, spokesperson for Catharina Hospital
+31 (0)6 430 72 253