Algorithm seeks to address ‘last-mile’ barrier by identifying disease when cure still possible

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Estimated to become the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. by 2030, pancreatic cancer has a grim prognosis with nearly 70% of patients facing mortality within the first year of diagnosis. Unfortunately, 40% of small pancreatic cancers elude detection on CT scans until they’ve advanced to an incurable stage.

This creates a critical “last-mile” barrier for early detection efforts where, in most patients — including those high-risk subjects undergoing active screening — imaging detects the cancer at a stage when a cure is unlikely. This makes imaging the final frontier in the quest for early cancer detection.

In a recent breakthrough, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers used the world’s most extensive imaging dataset to build a versatile artificial intelligence (AI) model that has shown the potential for autonomous detection of pancreatic cancer on standard CTs when surgical intervention can still promise a cure.

“This is where the study emerges as a beacon of hope,” says Ajit H. Goenka, M.D., a Mayo Clinic radiologist and principal investigator and corresponding author. “It addresses the last-mile challenge — detecting the cancer at a stage when the cancer is even beyond the scope of experts.”

The group developed a highly accurate AI model, trained on the largest — more than 3,000 patients — and most diverse CT dataset, for fully automated cancer detection, including small and otherwise difficult-to-detect tumors. Published in Gastroenterology, the journal of the American Gastroenterological Association, the study not only builds on the group’s recent work on radiomics-based early detection models but also underscores Mayo Clinic’s standing as a beacon of innovation in AI healthcare solutions.

Most important, the model could detect visually imperceptible cancer from normal-appearing pancreases on prediagnostic CT images (i.e., those acquired at three to 36 months prior to clinical diagnosis) substantially early — a median of 438 days — before clinical diagnosis.

“These findings suggest that AI has the potential to detect hidden cancers in asymptomatic individuals, allowing for surgical treatment at a stage when a cure is still achievable,” Dr. Goenka says. 

Finally, the model remained reliable and accurate across diverse patient groups and variations in scanning equipment and imaging techniques. This resilience is crucial for the model’s utility in a wide array of real-world medical scenarios.

Addressing a major concern in the AI healthcare landscape, the team also deconstructed the AI’s decision-making process to ensure transparency, acknowledging that trust and quality control are essential for AI’s broader clinical acceptance.

“We owe the progress to the ingenious efforts of the Framework for AI Software Technology, or FAST, team led by Panagiotis Korfiatis, Ph.D., complemented by our team of exceptionally bright research fellows and data science analysts,” says Dr. Goenka. “They dedicated months to meticulous preparation for our initial submission and invested significant effort to astutely address the incisive queries of the panel of international reviewers.”

“We’re only at the beginning but stand ready to address the challenges of early cancer detection, leveraging the capabilities of AI and next-generation molecular imaging in conjunction with complementary biomarkers,” he adds.

Mayo Clinic has already initiated the steps for clinical validation and the models are undergoing regulatory processes. With backing from the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, the team is set to undertake benefactor-funded prospective screening trials. The insights from these trials will refine and bolster the practical effectiveness of their innovative approach.

Their cross-disciplinary endeavor involves co-author experts from Radiology (Garima Suman, M.D., Nandakumar Patnam Gopal Chetty, M.B.B.S., M.D., Kamaxi H. Trivedi, M.B.B.S., M.D., Aashna M. Karbhari, M.B.B.S., M.D., Sovanlal Mukherjee, Ph.D., Cole J. Cook, Ph.D., M.S., Jason R. Klug, Ph.D., Naveen Rajamohan, M.D.,  Hala A. Khasawneh, Joel G. Fletcher, M.D., Candice W. Bolan, M.D., and Kumar Sandrasegaran, M.B., Ch.B.), Surgery (Mark J. Truty, M.D., M.S.), and Gastroenterology (Shounak Majumder, M.D., Suresh T. Chari, M.D.).

Research reported in this news release was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award numbers: R01CA272628 and R01CA256969, as well as from the Centene Charitable Foundation, and the Champions for Hope Pancreatic Cancer Research Program of the Funk Zitiello Foundation. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

###

About Mayo Clinic 
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.  

Media contact: 

• Ethan Grove, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu 

Originally published on Mayo Clinic

Supports Families Living with Disabilities through JT Townsend Foundation

June 29, 2023– Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – Hundreds came together for the sixth annual Champions for Hope Gala & Celebrity Golf Classic at TPC Sawgrass, home of THE PLAYERS on June 2-3, 2023. The charity gala and golf tournament, which raised more than $650,000, will benefit two important causes in our Northeast Florida community – pancreatic cancer research through Mayo Clinic and support for adults and children living with disabilities on the First Coast through The JT Townsend Foundation (JTTF).

Golf sponsors gathered to play the Stadium Course on Saturday, June 3, and were paired with local celebrities including Jaguars 1st Overall Pick in 96’ Kevin Hardy who said the event was “Nothing short of amazing! From the gala to the golf, the people to the purpose, the Champions for Hope golf event is the best charity event I’ve ever participated in!”

For the attendees of Champions for Hope, the event is about so much more than a solid day of golf. It’s about raising an EPIC amount for charity and having a good time! “It’s the spirit of what the tournament is about, Judi and JT Townsend, that flows through every minute you’re involved that sets it apart. I’ve been fortunate to be involved in many charity tournaments and events. This one is special,” said attendee and sportscaster Sam Kouvaris.

The event weekend kicked off when the Funk-Zitiello Foundation visited Mayo Clinic’s campus in Jacksonville to learn about new advancements in pancreatic cancer research and to present a check for $550,000 to support funding critical research efforts. The Foundation connects regularly with Peter Storz, Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic scientist, and Mayo clinicians who work daily to find an early detection method for pancreatic cancer.

Michael Wallace, M.D., M.P.H., and Dr. Storz are part of a team of 10 physicians and scientists at Mayo who use the foundation’s funds to perform research to develop early detection techniques for pancreatic cancer. “We’re researching new early detection methods to find the early warning signs of the disease and change how we treat pancreatic cancer,” said Dr. Wallace. “Our specific goal is to identify biological and imaging markers that indicate a person has, or soon will develop, pancreatic cancer when it is still at a curable stage,” he added. Champions for Hope has also donated more than $2 million for research at the Judi Zitiello Laboratory in the C.V. and Elsie R. Griffin Building in Jacksonville. 

“Our 2023 annual event was a huge success working alongside a team of more than 80 volunteers. We are grateful to our key sponsors including Jacksonville Jaguars, Team1, Florida Blue, Ally, Shark Coatings, PGA TOUR, and all our partners who contribute to the event to support our two causes. I am honored to be a part of this Foundation to continue to help others in our Northeast Florida community,” said Tommy Zitiello.

To date, Champions for Hope has donated $834,000 to JTTF ensuring over 700 families living with disabilities have their needs met right here in Jacksonville. JTTF provides adaptive equipment and resources to support children and adults. Equipment examples include, wheelchairs, standards, adaptive bikes, cranial helmets, adaptive car seats and more. To learn more visit, JTGivesBack.org.

Funk-Zitiello Foundation, Champions for Hope

The Funk-Zitiello Foundation was launched in 2016 by 2005 PLAYERS Champion, Fred Funk and local businessman Tommy Zitiello. The foundation’s mission is to help the community by taking the challenges of individuals and turning them into initiatives that can provide hope and funding to those dealing with extraordinary obstacles. To learn more visit, ChampionsforHopeGolf.com.

Contacts

For more information and media inquiries:  

Pauline Gerry, pgerry4@gmail.com

904-728-4722

To donate: visit championsforhopegolf.com/donate or mail check to:

Funk-Zitiello Foundation, 830 N. Florida A1A, Suite 13 #187, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 (write Champions for Hope) in the memo section.

To get involved or learn more visit ChampionsForHopeGolf.com or JTGivesBack.org

See original video.

During the evening, guests were treated to local songstress “Hensley” as she sang with her beautiful “Norah Jones-esk” voice.

Guests were also reminded of the two important causes the June, 2017 event will support – The JT Townsend Foundation and Mayo Clinic Foundation Research working on an early detection method for pancreatic cancer. Tim Ross, his wife and son Timmy Ross gave a heart rendering account of how his family was blessed by receiving an adaptive stroller for their son who lives with cerebral palsy, The stroller had been denied by insurance and they had no means of buying one.

Adam Silva spoke for his family about his Mother’s difficult fight with pancreatic cancer and how his relationship with Judi Zitiello, a pancreatic cancer survivor will forever remind him of his wonderful and strong Mother. His talk brought the group to tears as he recounted the difficulty of this lethal cancer that strikes with no warning until it is too late.

Tommy & Judi both thanked the guests and reminded everyone of the positive effect JT Townsend Foundation has had on the First Coast disabled community helping over 250 families with more than $500K in assistance and equipment. They also quoted the very difficult statistics of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. How 58K people will be diagnosed this year and only 18 % will live 1 year. How only 8% of those diagnosed will live more than 5 years. How by 2020 this cancer will become the number two cancer with survival rate in the single digits.

The evening was a huge success with sponsorship commitments and donations totaling over $120K.

Dalton needed an iPad mini with a large GB storage, a durable case and Microsoft Office for students. JTTF was able to provide all of this so that Dalton could complete his classes and graduate from high school. Dalton’s request was recommended by his case manager and had been denied by insurance. Welcome to the JTTF family Dalton!

In the last year, pancreatic cancer surpassed breast cancer to become the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The average five-year survival rate is just 8%. Of the 53, 070 Americans who will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, many will be advanced-stage due to no early detections methods. And with limited effective treatment options, most will not survive. It’s time for us to change the course of this deadly disease.

Tommy and Judi Zitiello traveled to Washington DC in June to call on Congress to wage hope by asking our Senators and Representatives to:

1. Putting the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on a path of sustained growth by appropriating $34.5 billion for the NIH, including $5.9 billion for the National Cancer Institute (NCI)
2. Allocating a portion of any Cancer Moonshot funding to our nation’s deadliest cancers – the recalcitrant cancers that have a five year survival rate below 50%
3. Joining the bicameral Congressional Caucus on the Deadliest Cancers.
4. Continuing to include pancreatic cancer in the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program and providing at least the FY2016 funding level of $50 million.
5. Senate passage of an Innovation for Healthier Americans Initiative legislative package that includes NIH funding.

Judi Zitiello is a PC Survivor having been diagnosed April 29th, 2014. Currently, she is cancer-free with no reoccurrence since her surgery and treatment. She is a champion and a miracle!

*American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures 2016 Atlanta: American Cancer Society 2016

In 2013 I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Internet searches are terrifying because there is only a 9 percent survival rate for five years. This cancer grows deep within your body, and the symptoms are often misdiagnosed. Typically it has metastasized to other vital organs, rendering it inoperable.

The tumor had grown around an artery, making the Whipple procedure even more challenging, but my surgeon was able to remove it. Today I am four years cancer-free.

God gave me this time, and I am going to make the most of it. With others, I hold a celebrity golf event called Champions for Hope to raise awareness and fund research to find an early detection method for pancreatic cancer.

I feel confident the research team at Mayo will discover a test that will give countless others a longer life. ■

— Judi Zitiello
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Major Benefactor

Philanthropy fuels the mission of Mayo Clinic. Visionary benefactors are the vital catalysts behind our pioneering patient care, breakthrough medical research and world-class educational programs.

We are solving the world’s most serious and complex medical challenges – one patient at a time. Support Mayo Clinic’s efforts today.