Roche Diagnostics backs UK initiative to harness AI for rare eye cancer research

Roche Diagnostics has teamed up with the University of Liverpool to launch the Eye Cancer Artificial Intelligence Digital Bioresource (EYE-CAN-AID), a first-of-its-kind digital repository for rare eye cancer that could help provide more personalised treatments for patients, and improve rates of early detection.

The initiative showcases Roche's VENTANA DP 600 scanner, which will be used to analyse eye cancer cells and tissues. The 600 scanner will play a key role in EYE-CAN-AID’s infrastructure, as it can handle large volumes and create high-resolution, digital images of stained tissue samples that help clinicians diagnose cancer and determine a patient's treatment. EYE-CAN-AID will securely store the images, along with cancer samples and data. 

This multi-modal image database and bioresource will connect a network of scientists to drive research aimed at understanding the causes of eye cancers, which in turn will help the development of biological markers for treatment prediction — including those that leverage AI to detect early cancer signs in the eye and in radiology images.

EYE-CAN-AID builds on a cancer biobank set up 14 years ago with the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre (LOOC), one of just three specialist eye cancer centres in the UK, alongside those in Sheffield and London. It aims to link all three centres across NHS England, combining clinical, radiological, histological and genetic data from consenting patients.

Luke Benko, international business leader for digital pathology at Roche Diagnostics, said the goal of EYE-CAN-AID "is to provide an equitable and accessible resource to the scientific community, potentially improving disease treatment, enabling researchers and doctors worldwide to benefit and helping enhance patient care."