AI-powered digital pathology to tailor cancer treatment decisions
Official title: An AI-enabled Digital Pathology Platform for Multi-Cancer Diagnosis, Prognosis and Prediction of Therapeutic Benefit
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11535321 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A team at Emory is building an AI-powered platform that analyzes cancer slides to help doctors choose the right therapies and avoid unnecessary chemotherapy or radiation for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $87,480 |
| NIH project number | 3U01CA269181-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11535321 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with various cancers where adjuvant therapies are considered, particularly in settings with limited access to expensive tests.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancer biology is not captured by the analyzed features or who require therapy choices not influenced by the platform.
What this research studies
This project uses artificial intelligence to read standard pathology slides and predict which patients will benefit from therapy de‑intensification. It aims to provide affordable, accessible prognostic and predictive insights, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to guide treatment choices. The platform builds on prior evidence that computer vision can reveal tumor features not visible to the human eye and applies it across multiple cancer types. By partnering with clinicians, researchers will translate these insights into practical tools for everyday cancer care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive personalized treatment plans that reduce unnecessary side effects while preserving effectiveness.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise for AI-based pathology in predicting outcomes and treatment response, but broader, multi-cancer validation is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Madabhushi, Anant — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Madabhushi, Anant
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.