Emory Researchers Secure Up to $17.6 Million from ARPA-H for Innovative AI Research in Cancer Surgery

Emory University, in collaboration with the Winship Cancer Institute, has secured a groundbreaking funding award of up to $17.6 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to cultivate an innovative technological approach aimed at transforming surgical practices for cancer patients. The initiative, coined “MarginCall,” seeks to revolutionize the evaluation of surgical margins during cancer operations, laying particular emphasis on breast and ovarian cancer surgeries. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, the project aspires not only to enhance patient outcomes but also to address the critical challenges associated with surgical precision in oncological procedures.

At the forefront of this research are two prominent Emory University researchers who will serve as co-principal investigators. Anant Madabhushi, PhD, renowned for his contributions to cancer immunology, will lead the project alongside his counterpart, Farzad Fereidouni, PhD, who recently transitioned from UC Davis to join Emory University. Madabhushi holds the distinction of being the executive director of the Emory Empathetic AI for Health Institute, as well as the Robert W. Woodruff Professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology. Fereidouni, now an associate professor of pathology at Emory University School of Medicine, brings with him advanced knowledge in artificial intelligence and medical imaging, championing innovations that promise to enhance cancer detection and surgical precision.

In the context of this ambitious project, an array of technological advancements are being employed, specifically in the spheres of surgery, imaging, pathology, medicine, and artificial intelligence. The research introduces a novel imaging technique referred to as Fluorescence Imitating Brightfield Imaging (FIBI), which serves to facilitate rapid and accurate assessments of surgical margins, the critical edges of tissue surrounding tumors. The ability to quickly ascertain whether cancerous cells have been entirely excised is essential during surgeries, as traditional methods can at times be inefficient and unreliable, potentially leading to additional surgical interventions when residual cancerous cells are discovered post-operatively.

The essence of the MarginCall project is to develop a fully integrated system that provides real-time evaluations of surgical margins. This pioneering methodology is projected to not only minimize the incidence of leaving behind cancerous tissues but also to expedite the surgical process, therefore demonstrating a cost-effective alternative to existing evaluation techniques. This enhancement promises to significantly improve the surgical experience for both healthcare providers and patients, ultimately leading to, hopefully, better prognostic outcomes for cancer patients.

One notable advancement that the MarginCall system will introduce is its capability to operate independent of an on-site pathologist. Traditional margin assessment methods necessitate the preparation of frozen tissue slides, a laborious and time-sensitive undertaking which often requires interrupting the surgical process. This interruption can induce significant stress for both the surgical team and the patient, prolonging the procedure and heightening the risk of complications. The new imaging technology aims to generate high-resolution images of surgical margins in near-real-time, enabling surgeons to proceed with operations unimpeded by the waiting times typically associated with traditional pathology evaluations.

This development is a potential game-changer in surgical oncology, with Madabhushi articulating the paradigm shift that this novel technology could engender: “By marrying advanced tissue imaging technology with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence being developed at Emory AI.Health, we aspire to deliver rapid feedback directly to surgeons in the operating room.” With this integrated approach, the surgical management can be adjusted on-the-fly, facilitating faster and more precise decision-making during intraoperative procedures.

The implications of the MarginCall initiative extend beyond merely improving surgical techniques; it has the potential to democratize advanced cancer care, especially in underserved regions where access to specialized pathologists is limited. The elimination of the bottleneck associated with frozen slide preparation and the subsequent analysis could allow for wider dissemination of sophisticated surgical care, potentially leading to improved outcomes for patients residing in rural or economically disadvantaged communities.

While the initial research phase will concentrate on breast and ovarian cancers, which exhibit a heightened necessity for precise margin determination, the versatility of this innovative technology holds promise for its eventual application in a broader spectrum of oncological surgeries, including pancreatic and head and neck cancers. As the research progresses, the team is optimistic about its eventual adoption in clinical settings, where it could profoundly influence surgical outcomes for cancer patients across the globe.

The collaborative nature of the MarginCall project involves not only the expertise from Emory University but also valuable insights from specialists at institutions such as UC Davis, Indiana University, and Technische Universiteit Eindhoven. This multifaceted approach will combine efforts in imaging, artificial intelligence, and medical technology, fostering a rich environment for innovation and discovery.

As the team embarks on this vanguard journey, the vision of MarginCall encapsulates not only a significant advancement in surgical oncology but also a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for patients battling cancer. With the potential to streamline surgical processes and improve precision, the future of oncological surgery may soon witness a transformative shift, bringing forth a new age of patient care that is increasingly efficient, accurate, and accessible.

Subject of Research: Innovative surgical margin evaluation for cancer surgery.
Article Title: Emory University’s “MarginCall” Project: Revolutionizing Cancer Surgery with AI Technology
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Keywords: cancer surgery, artificial intelligence, surgical margins, Fluorescence Imitating Brightfield Imaging, Emory University, Winship Cancer Institute, real-time imaging, pathologist-free evaluation, breast cancer, ovarian cancer.