by InTrieste
A new pilot program in northeastern Italy is testing whether artificial intelligence can help doctors identify ovarian cancer earlier, a disease that is often diagnosed only after it has reached an advanced stage.
The trial, which began in December, is centered on OvAi, an A.I.-powered diagnostic platform developed by the Italian health technology company SynDiag. The system is being tested at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University Health Authority of Friuli Centrale (Asufc), under the supervision of Professor Giuseppe Vizzielli. The project also involves Udine’s Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, the National Cancer Institute in Aviano, and the Friuli Venezia Giulia regional government.
OvAi uses artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze gynecological ultrasound images, with the goal of identifying patterns that may indicate a higher risk of ovarian cancer. By providing an automated second assessment, the technology is designed to support clinicians in detecting potential malignancies earlier and with greater accuracy.
Riccardo Riccardi, the regional councillor for health, said the platform would be the first A.I. system deployed across the region’s public health network. If the results confirm expectations, he added, it could become a model for use throughout Italy.
The project is funded by the regional government and coordinated by Insiel, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s in-house technology company. The trial is being carried out in stages. In the first phase, medical staff are trained using simulated data supplied by SynDiag, allowing them to become familiar with the platform. In a second phase, pending regulatory approvals, the system will be tested on real clinical data from the hospital’s gynecology department, in accordance with privacy and data protection regulations.
Regional health officials say the initiative is part of a broader effort to build an integrated prevention network, in which patients can receive expert second opinions from the earliest stages of care, including through telemedicine, helping to ensure faster diagnoses and more equal access to specialized services.
Professor Vizzielli, who leads gynecologic oncology at Asufc, said that artificial intelligence could become a valuable tool in identifying patients at higher oncological risk, particularly in a disease where early symptoms are often vague or absent.
Diego Antonini, the chief executive of Insiel, said that the trial would be conducted with strict safeguards for data security and patient privacy.
