One-stop affordable AI system for cervical cancer screening, triage, and treatment choice
A novel, one stop, affordable, point of care and artificial intelligence supported system of screening, triage and treatment selection for cervical cancer and precancer in the LMICs
This project uses a quick urine test plus AI-read cervical photos to find high-risk HPV and early cervical precancers for women in low- and middle-income countries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | International Agency for Res on Cancer NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lyon, France) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182533 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would first give a urine sample that an AI-powered device reads using infrared spectroscopy to look for high-risk HPV. If the urine test is positive, a dedicated camera takes cervical images that the AI examines for high-grade precancers and for the transformation zone to help guide treatment choice. The team has a working prototype and will refine the hardware and algorithms in the first two years, then validate performance across clinical sites over the following three years. The overall approach aims to provide a low-cost, point-of-care workflow so women can be screened, triaged, and offered appropriate treatment during clinic visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are women in low- and middle-income countries who are unscreened or due for cervical screening, including those living with HIV who face higher risk.
Not a fit: This would not apply to men, to women who no longer have a cervix, or to people who cannot attend participating clinic sites.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide affordable same-visit screening and treatment decision support that reaches women who currently lack access to care.
How similar studies have performed: AI-based visual screening for cervical precancers has shown promising results in prior work, while urine infrared spectroscopy for HPV detection is a newer approach with more limited validation.
Where this research is happening
Lyon, France
- International Agency for Res on Cancer — Lyon, France (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Basu, Partha — International Agency for Res on Cancer
- Study coordinator: Basu, Partha
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 below.