Scaling New Heights: Bringing AI-Enabled Diagnostics to the Himalayas

Sean Khozin, MD, MPH and AT (asba) Tasneem, PhD

In a mission that combined adventure with innovation, the CEO Roundtable on Cancer (CEORT) and Project Data Sphere (PDS) recently embarked on an extraordinary journey to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar. This expedition was far more than a test of physical endurance; it represented a bold step towards advancing healthcare access in one of the world's most remote regions.

The team, comprising ten individuals from seven organizations including PDS’s AT Tasneem, Qure AI, Stop TB Partnership, and Min X-Ray, set out with a clear purpose: to bring cutting-edge AI-enabled diagnostic technology to the underserved communities of the Khumbu region in Nepal. Their trek took them from Lukla (9,383 ft) to Everest Base Camp (17,598 ft) and Kala Patthar (18,373 ft), providing firsthand experience of the geographical barriers that make healthcare delivery in this region a monumental task.

The Challenge: Healthcare in the Himalayas

The Solukhumbu region, home to approximately 100,000 people, faces significant healthcare challenges. With a population density of less than 8 persons per square kilometer scattered across rugged terrain, access to medical facilities is severely limited. As the team journeyed through villages like Namche Bazaar and Pheriche, visiting local hospitals and clinics, they witnessed a stark reminder of the healthcare disparities that exist in our world. While dedicated healthcare professionals do their best with limited resources, the lack of advanced diagnostic tools, particularly imaging technology, was evident.

AI: Bridging the Healthcare Gap

Throughout the trek, the team showcased an AI-powered X-ray tool, using it to screen local community members, porters, and sherpas. This not only provided immediate benefits but also served to educate and raise awareness about diseases like tuberculosis, which remains a significant health concern in the region. The AI component of the system proved invaluable in a region where specialist doctors are few and far between. The ability of AI to assist in interpreting X-ray images could be life-changing, helping to identify potential cases of tuberculosis, pneumonia, and other respiratory conditions common in these high-altitude areas.

The team witnessed the enthusiasm of local healthcare providers when introduced to this technology. At facilities like the Pasang Nicole Hospital in Lukla, the Um Hong Gil hospital, and the Mountain Medical Clinic in Pheriche, the potential impact of AI-enabled diagnostics was immediately apparent.

CEORT and PDS: Pioneering AI Solutions in Healthcare

The Himalayan expedition is just one facet of CEORT and PDS's approach to healthcare and biomedical research. In parallel with efforts to bring AI-enabled diagnostics to remote regions, PDS has been spearheading groundbreaking initiatives in cancer research. A prime example is the development of autoRECIST, an AI-powered tool designed to transform tumor assessments in clinical trials and cancer care.

This initiative, started under PDS's Images and Algorithms program in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), addresses a critical challenge in cancer research and treatment. Since its inception in 2019, PDS's autoRECIST program has grown into a Consortium involving experts from academia, industry, regulatory bodies, and pharmaceutical companies. The program aims to automate the analysis of tumor response based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria, a widely used standard in oncology. The development of autoRECIST was motivated by a significant challenge in cancer clinical trials: the discordance observed between primary investigator assessments and those of independent radiology reviewers in registrational studies. This variability can impact the interpretation of treatment efficacy and, consequently, the drug approval process.

By leveraging AI models for automated analysis, autoRECIST has the potential to transform tumor response assessments, reducing inter-observer variability and improving the consistency and reliability of clinical trial results. This could lead to more accurate evaluations of cancer treatments, significantly accelerating the development and approval of new therapies. The implications of autoRECIST extend beyond clinical trials. In routine cancer care, the tool could provide oncologists with more consistent and objective assessments of treatment response, enabling more informed decision-making and improving patient outcomes.

?From Cancer Clinical Trials to the Himalayas: AI's Versatile Applications

The journey to the Himalayas builds upon PDS’s foundation of AI innovation and CEORT’s commitment to advancing cancer care and research in novel and collaborative ways. Just as autoRECIST aims to bring consistency and objectivity to cancer treatment assessments, the expedition sought to demonstrate how AI can extend the reach of quality healthcare to some of the world's most remote regions. In both cases, the goal is to leverage technology to overcome limitations in current practices, whether they're due to human variability in image interpretation or geographical barriers to accessing medical expertise.

The Future of Healthcare: AI-Driven and Accessible

The Himalayan expedition and initiatives like PDS's autoRECIST Consortium exemplify the transformative power of innovation and collaboration in addressing drug development challenges and global health disparities. By supporting the deployment of AI-enabled diagnostic tools in remote regions and developing AI solutions for cancer trials, CEORT and PDS strive to help create a future where quality healthcare transcends geographical and resource limitations. Our vision extends from sophisticated cancer centers to remote mountain clinics, with AI-driven solutions becoming integral to medical practice and drug development. The Himalayan experience and our ongoing cancer research efforts demonstrate that with appropriate technology and commitment, even the most daunting healthcare challenges can be overcome.

CEORT and PDS are dedicated to helping spearhead this transformation, harnessing AI to create a world of equitable healthcare access and more efficient and personalized drug development paradigms. These efforts mark the beginning of a broader mission. As we continue to expand the possibilities in healthcare delivery and clinical research, CEORT and PDS invite collaboration from others in this crucial endeavor. Together, new heights can be scaled, bringing hope and healing to communities around the world and accelerating the pace of medical breakthroughs.

Sean Khozin, MD, MPH is the Chief Executive Officer of CEO Roundtable on Cancer and Project Data Sphere

AT Tasneem, PhD is Executive Director at Project Data Sphere