Category: Russian Federation

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

Based at the Laboratory of Nuclear and Innovative Medicine (LNIM) Faculty of Physics Novosibirsk State University is collecting data to create a Tomographic Atlas of Animals — a large-scale database of images obtained during CT examinations of dogs and cats of various breeds, both healthy and cancer patients. This atlas will become the basis for training artificial intelligence in methods of diagnosing oncological diseases using tomographic data.

— The use of AI for the analysis of tomographic images of animals will automate the diagnostic process, significantly reducing its dependence on the human factor. Research and treatment of our smaller brothers make a great contribution to the development of medicine and science in general. Studying animal diseases helps not only to improve their health and quality of life, but also to find new approaches to the treatment of cancer in humans, which is ultimately our goal. Artificial intelligence trained on the basis of the tomographic atlas will allow scientists to automatically receive descriptions of serial experimental studies of large groups of animals, taking into account their interspecies and intraspecies differences, — said Vladimir Kanygin, Head of the Laboratory of Nuclear and Innovative Medicine at the LYAIM PF NSU.

The project is being implemented jointly with the Autonomous Non-Commercial Organization “Siberian Research Center for Medicine and Biotechnology” (“Sibbiotech”), which provides technical and veterinary support: organizes examination of animals, their transportation, and also supports radiation therapy. The source of neutrons for NCT is the research nuclear reactor of Tomsk Polytechnic University.

As Vladimir Kanygin explained, the employees of this non-profit organization have no direct connection to science, but their work is very important for scientists, since they provide technical and organizational aspects of conducting research and therapy, ensure the search for animals for testing and their transportation to the place of radiation therapy.

– ANO “Sibbiotech” has contacts with several veterinary clinics and volunteer centers engaged in the help of homeless animals. They direct us cats and dogs for research and treatment. Thanks to this, even homeless dogs and cats have a unique chance to get highly qualified assistance to specialists who are studying therapeutic effects of radiation therapy using neutron capture technology. So far, this process is quite successful. Despite the fact that we are actively working on our tomograph only the last six months, today dozens of animals have passed through it. Among them were not only four -legged patients in whom we conducted a search for tumor formations, but also injured animals. So, in early April, through our partners – ANO “Sibbotech” – volunteers brought a cat found on the street to the tomographic center of our laboratory. The volunteers said that they had once been home, and then the owners threw it away. We found in her body 6 metal artifacts remaining from gunshot wounds. In addition, the cat revealed cancer. Thanks to a timely study, a correct diagnosis was made, the necessary treatment was prescribed and the animal was helped. There are other cases when, after CT, preliminary diagnoses made by the branches are seriously adjusted. For example, it turns out that the animal does not suffer from oncological disease, but in its body any inflammatory process develops. The treatment tactics are changing, and the animal receives the necessary help, ”said Vladimir Kanygin.

According to LYAIM, over 100 animals underwent neutron capture therapy over three years. Many of them demonstrated significant improvement in their condition: decreased pain, improved quality of life, and in most cases, decreased or stabilized tumor size. A number of scientific articles have been published based on the results of the studies.

In May, six animals underwent radiation therapy: two dogs and four cats diagnosed with melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and sarcoma. Among them was an Alabai with multiple tumor lesions on the head. The animals received therapeutic doses of radiation and are under remote observation by veterinary specialists from Tomsk. New groups of patients are formed regularly — not only residents of Novosibirsk and the region, but also pet owners from Moscow and St. Petersburg turn to scientists.

According to experts, neutron capture therapy is effective in treating more than half of stage III and IV malignant tumors. Some animals that were previously offered euthanasia were saved and their condition improved.

Special attention at LYAIM is given to such difficult-to-treat tumors as melanoma, glioblastoma, meningioma, and carcinoma. In most cases, a significant improvement in the condition and death of tumor cells are observed. The first positive results of therapy are usually recorded 1.5–2 months after the procedure. At the same time, the animals undergo a repeat CT examination, the data from which are also included in the tomographic atlas.

Before CT scanning, animals are given a contrast agent under general anesthesia. All stages — from the administration of anesthesia to full awakening — are accompanied by a veterinary anesthesiologist, who monitors vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, breathing. The procedure is usually tolerated by animals easily and without complications. The scanning itself takes about 15-20 minutes, and the entire process takes an average of one and a half hours.

In animals that have been operated on before, LAIM specialists often perform additional histological examinations at their own laboratory, and then a course of neutron capture therapy. They do not refuse help even in the case of advanced tumors with metastases, as well as in the case of malignant tumors of complex localization, such as the brain or spine, when other treatment methods are ineffective or impossible.

In some cases, NRT can be administered in conjunction with chemotherapy.

To launch the full-fledged work of artificial intelligence capable of diagnosing oncological diseases based on CT data, it is necessary to collect at least one and a half to two thousand tomographic images of each type of tumor, as well as thousands of scans of healthy animals of different species. The basis of the database will be images of cats and dogs, but it is planned to include data on other species – primates, rodents and other animals that have undergone tomographic examination. The study will include all stages of tumor development.

– The primary basis of the tumor is determined at all stages, and our task is to teach artificial intelligence to diagnose one or another type of tumor primarily on animal models, so the creation of an electronic tomographic atlas is especially relevant. We see it as a constantly self -reinforcing, self -learning and self -expanding program, which will undergo a certain correction from the point of view of self -learning and from the point of view of improving the algorithm used. At the moment, we have established good working relations with colleagues from Singapore to form joint databases in some areas. The formation of a tomographic atlas is designed for a fairly long perspective. Rather, this is a kind of beta version of a specialized application that will improve the quality of the diagnosis, and its use will imply the user’s participation in improving this program. Each user is involved in this project, since one of the conditions for using the tomographic atlas will be the replenishment of its database. In the meantime, we invite to cooperate the owners of cats, dogs and rodents. If there are suspicions that the pet had any neoplasm, or he already undergoes oncological treatment in a veterinary clinic, it is advisable to conduct an examination for CT for him. Our scientists, using the tomographic and histological base of the laboratory, will make a diagnosis or clarify it if it is already delivered by other specialists, and many pets will be offered radiation neutron therapy on the reactor of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. And the pet’s data will replenish the tomographic atlas, on the basis of which artificial intelligence will be trained, ”Vladimir Kanygin explained. 

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