A Prospective Cohort Study Evaluating AI-Assisted Non-Contrast CT for Multi-Cancer Screening in Asymptomatic Adults Undergoing Routine Health Exams

What this Trial Is About

Cancer is a major public health concern in China, with millions of new cases and deaths each year. This research aims to evaluate the use of an artificial intelligence (AI) model applied to non-contrast CT scans to screen for seven common cancers: lung, liver, gastric, colorectal, esophageal, pancreatic, and breast cancers. The study focuses on asymptomatic individuals undergoing routine health exams to detect early-stage, treatable tumors and improve survival. Participants receive abdominal or chest non-contrast CT scans as part of routine health checks at specific health examination centers. The AI model, developed by Alibaba DAMO Academy, is integrated into the imaging system to automatically detect possible cancerous lesions. Those flagged by the AI will be referred to Shanghai Changhai Hospital for further diagnostic imaging such as contrast-enhanced CT, MRI, or endoscopy, and guided by established cancer care guidelines to plan treatment. During the study, researchers will track participants through assessments and follow-ups for up to three years to measure diagnostic accuracy, cancer incidence, and the rate of tumors that can be surgically removed. They will also monitor survival time. The study involves a large cohort of up to one million people and aims to comprehensively assess how well the AI screening can detect different cancers early and improve overall outcomes.

AI-Assisted Non-Contrast CT for Multi-Cancer Screening