Radiologists in France will test the need for double reading when assisted by AI as part of a large lung cancer CT screening program that begins in September 2025, according to the French radiology society, the SFR.
Radiologists trained for the new lung cancer screening program, named IMPULSION, are invited to participate. Over a period of 18 months, the study will recruit 20,000 smokers and former smokers, although radiologists are not expected to enroll participants unless they wish to do so.
Participants will undergo an initial low-dose chest CT scan, then at one year and then two years later if the first two screenings are negative.
Radiologists are expected to complete a structured report by logging into the national screening platform developed by the Institut Hospitalo Universitaire (IHU) RespirERA in Nice. The AI, the same for all centers, is funded as part of the study and will be provided to all participants. There is therefore no need for specific equipment, SFR said in its 1 April announcement.
The need for a double reading when assisted by AI will be tested at the beginning of the program, and the group of second readers will be established by the Thoracic Imaging Society, SFR explained. An analysis will be made on the first 2,500 scans to validate that a second reading is not required when the first is assisted by AI.
By the end of the program, several AI solutions available on the market will be evaluated to establish a list of those with sufficient performance, the SFR added. The rating of scanners read with AI will be discussed outside of the study.
Participating radiologists must provide an investigator curriculum vitae (CV) and a certificate of training in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) dated within the last three years. Individuals can complete a short training online.
Depending on the region, 10 to 20 participating centers will be registered for the study, which means that not all trained radiologists will be able to participate immediately.
Find full details at the SFR.
