An X-ray AI reporting solution is being trialled in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), with the aim of improving earlier lung cancer detection.

qXR has been developed by healthtech firm Qure.ai, and is being tested in a collaboration between the University of Glasgow, the Scottish Government, and the NHSGGC-hosted West of Scotland Innovation Hub. The solution automatically segregates ‘normal’ chest X-rays and flags abnormalities such as masses or lung nodules.

The RADICAL (Radiograph Accelerated Detection and Identification of Cancer of the Lung) trial is currently underway at the Inverclyde Royal Hospital in Greenock, the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria, and Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital, with the technology being widened to other NHSGGC hospitals in the coming months.

In Scotland, lung cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer. By detecting cancer earlier, from GP-referred chest X-rays in an outpatient hospital setting, the patient pathway to CT scan or treatment planning can be streamlined, potentially saving time, patient outcomes, and quality of life.

Speaking on qXR, professor David Lowe, professor of health innovation at the University of Glasgow and emergency medicine consultant at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Worldwide healthcare systems have a significant challenge in the detection of lung cancer.

“At present, 40-50% of patients present with advanced or stage 4 cancer, leading to poorer outcomes. If we can spot cancer earlier, by speeding up the time and accuracy of the 100,000 chest X-rays performed each year at NHSGGC, we can improve time to further imaging, and subsequent treatment. Qure’s chest X-ray AI will help orchestrate benefits for the whole patient care pathway.”

qXR is also being supported by the University of Glasgow’s Digital Health Validation Lab, providing academic leadership and support to deliver the trial alongside NHSGGC and Qure.ai.

Darren Stephens, who’s senior vice-president and commercial head of UK and Europe at Qure.ai, commented: “The reality of healthcare AI is exciting for us all.

“Diagnosing cancer and other disease conditions earlier reduces long-term pressure on the health economy, and also enhances the length and quality of life for patients. We will be closely supporting the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde team with this deployment.”

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Denise Brown, director of digital services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, commented further: “AI is ready for adoption into clinical practice within this area of national priority.

“Products such as qXR from Qure.ai will help us to detect lung cancer early, this project will establish reliable evidence of impact and value, and under our Digital Strategy’s ‘Enabled by AI Programme’ is part of our ongoing work in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to co-develop and adopt digital solutions that support clinical decision making.”