Lab expert working on AI cancer detection

Harnessing AI to Improve Cancer Detection

SPsoft partnered with the client from the life science sector to speed up drug development and precision medicine. They aimed to use AI for analyzing histopathological images to find the Nancy Index, the key to identifying cancer cells. This collaboration resulted in a platform capable of managing large amounts of data from digital microscopic images, using FHIR to ensure data sharing and accelerate cancer treatment approaches.

Client

Our client stands as a beacon of innovation in the life sciences domain, with a pronounced focus on AI-powered drug development and precision medicine. Through its proprietary cloud-based platform, the customer delivers early drug efficacy assessments, smart patient recruitment, and predictive analysis of advanced treatment manifestations. Their pursuit for excellence is encapsulated in their cutting-edge histopathology system, a testament to their commitment to swiftly delivering life-saving therapies to patients.

Location:

UK, United States

Industry:

Healthcare

Team size:

20

Services

Healthcare Software Development, Data Security and Compliance, Performance Optimization, FHIR Integration

Tech stack:

  • Java
  • React
  • DICOM
  • Python
  • GCP services

Challenge

Embarking on the quest to re-engineer the histopathology system presented many challenges. These are the ones to mention:

  • Unique medical protocol compliance. Data handling in this domain demanded adherence to unique medical protocols, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive histopathological information.
  • Voluminous data and processing complexity. The colossal data volumes stemming from extensive image extensions required a robust platform capable of efficiently processing and rendering images, even in parts, to ensure detailed analysis.
  • Scientific literature and community engagement. A prerequisite for success was the extensive exploration of scientific literature, community engagements, and open-source solutions to build a foundation of knowledge and resources essential for this endeavor.
  • Adaptive client requirements. With a project of a novel nature, the perpetually changing client requirements required an agile, SCRUM-based approach to accommodate the innovative demands and ensure a fluid transition through different phases of the project.
  • Proficiency in AI processes. The project called for a deep understanding and skills in AI processes to accurately analyze histopathological data for precise cancer cell identification.

The journey began with an audit at the client’s behest. That revealed grave issues in security, performance, and architecture in the existing codebase, including alarming security lapses like the storage of passwords within the code. Such results triggered an immediate transition from the current vendor to us, with a plea to render a stable and secure platform version. 


Delivered value

Our collaborative endeavor led to the development of a robust, secure, and efficient platform, marking a great stride in the global fight against cancer. Here are some of the key value points:

  • Innovative breakthroughs. The deployment of AI-powered histopathology analysis became a part of a new cancer detection and treatment era. This innovation has opened new avenues in real-time data interoperability and collaborative oncology efforts.
  • Enhanced diagnostic accuracy. The AI-driven analysis enhances diagnostic accuracy, thereby accelerating the treatment strategy formulation and potentially improving patient outcomes.
  • Data security and compliance. The platform now boasts a fortified data security framework by addressing previous security lapses and ensuring adherence to healthcare compliance standards. That instills trust among its users and stakeholders.
  • Future-ready platform. The platform’s scalable architecture, coupled with a vision for continuous improvement and adaptation to emerging techs, positions it as a future-ready solution capable of evolving alongside medical research and technology advancements.
  • Global value addition. The solution transcends traditional boundaries, presenting a novel approach to science and healthcare. The AI-powered analysis is a giant leap toward personalized medicine, setting a new precedent in cancer detection and treatment.

The value derived from this venture extends far beyond the platform itself. One can even say it underscores the monumental impact collaborative efforts fueled by tech innovation can have in advancing global healthcare objectives, especially in the critical battle against cancer.


The process

The endeavor to construct a robust histopathology platform from the ground up kicked off with a blank slate. The absence of prior references signified that every nascent feature entailed a profound level of investigation, underlined by a diligent review of pertinent scientific literature.

  • Stage 1. Preliminary Exploration. The client approached SPsoft to evaluate its current platform. The initial phase involved extensive exploration to understand the requirements thoroughly. That covered diving into scientific literature, engaging with the histopathology community, and exploring open-source solutions for groundwork.
  • Stage 2. Blueprint Drafting. After the discovery phase, we reported our findings and were tasked to replace the current vendor, tackle urgent issues, and support and enhance the existing platform. A detailed blueprint was then crafted, indicating key milestones, objectives, and a tentative project timeline. This roadmap clarified the resources needed to address upcoming complexities.
  • Stage 3. Team Amplification. Aligning with the outlined blueprint, our core team was bolstered with additional specialists embodying the requisite expertise in AI, histopathology, and healthcare software development. The client orchestrated this augmentation to ensure a harmonious blend of skills.
  • Stage 4. Project Inception. Here, the development process officially commenced. It was a phase of laying the foundational stones, each carefully placed to support the intricate architecture of the platform.
  • Stage 5. Agile Iterations. Transitioning into agile iterations, each sprint was marked by a focused pursuit of feature development, refinement, and integration. The SCRUM methodology facilitated a fluid interaction with the evolving client requirements, ensuring a symbiotic evolution of the project and client vision.
  • Stage 6. Feature Deployment. Each sprint culminated in deploying new or refined features. The iterative releases were pivotal in enhancing the platform’s capabilities, marking significant milestones along development.
  • Stage 7. Rigorous Validation. Preceding each release, a thorough testing and quality assurance phase was embarked upon. That was crucial to meet the functionality, security, and performance parameters, aligning with the stringent medical protocols and data security mandates.
  • Stage 8. Release and Reflection. The conclusion of each milestone was marked by a release, followed by a reflective review to assess the performance, gather feedback, and identify areas of improvement to inform subsequent sprints.
  • Stage 9. Continual Evolution. The horizon is dotted with envisioned functionalities awaiting integration, refinement, and deployment. We strive to keep the platform at the zenith of tech advancements in histopathology, thus fulfilling the relentless pursuit of excellence in cancer detection and treatment strategies.

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