UK’s Royal Marsden to Launch AI-Powered Radiology Research Service

Story BySaloni Tyagi

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1 month ago

UK’s Royal Marsden to Launch AI-Powered Radiology Research Service — Source: X

It will be used for research at The Royal Marsden and its academic partner, the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), across multiple cancer types, including sarcoma, lung, breast, brain, and prostate.

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust has announced a strategic collaboration with global technology leader NTT DATA and imaging AI platform CARPL.ai to build an AI radiology research service to advance cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The new service, supported by a three-year grant from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is designed to evaluate and refine AI algorithms for cancer imaging.

It will be used for research at The Royal Marsden and its academic partner, the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), across multiple cancer types, including sarcoma, lung, breast, brain, and prostate.Stay tuned for more such updates on Digital Health News.

The service is built on a clinical imaging platform incorporating machine learning operations (MLOps), developed by NTT DATA and supported by Dell's computing infrastructure. Integrated with CARPL.ai’s platform, researchers can test and assess various radiology AI models in a secure, clinically compliant environment.

NTT DATA also provides consulting support to assist researchers in evaluating AI tools within clinical settings. The initiative examines the feasibility and effectiveness of AI technologies that could be used in the NHS.

“By working with NTT DATA and CARPL.ai, we’ve created a scalable research environment that allows us to explore the full potential of AI safely and in a way that could one day transform cancer diagnosis and treatment across the NHS,” said Professor Dow-Mu Koh, Professor in Functional Cancer Imaging and Consultant Radiologist at The Royal Marsden.

The AI-powered platform allows research teams to evaluate diverse algorithms in live clinical scenarios. It leverages CARPL.ai’s built-in tools to monitor model performance and streamline the development-deployment feedback loop, an essential step for clinical adoption.

Karin Smyth, Minister of State for Health, Department of Health and Social Care, said, "Our 10-Year Health Plan will modernize the NHS, replacing outdated systems with cutting-edge digital solutions. While this trial is in its early stages, it represents exactly the kind of collaboration between the NHS, industry, and academia that will help build a health service fit for the future. Early detection saves lives, and innovations like AI will transform how cancer is diagnosed and treated, helping patients receive faster and more effective care.”

“This AI-powered service represents the cutting edge of cancer research, and it is going to transform treatment, better support NHS staff, and ultimately change patients' lives. It is another great example of how NIHR-funded and supported research will ensure the best care is there when patients need it,” Prof Mike Lewis, NIHR Scientific Director for Innovation, added.

As the platform becomes operational, researchers can test AI models across various oncology domains, focusing on real-world validation and clinical readiness.

Established in 1851 as the world’s first dedicated cancer hospital, The Royal Marsden is one of the UK’s leading cancer centres. In partnership with the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), it hosts the UK’s only NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for cancer.

The Royal Marsden delivers care across sites in Chelsea, Sutton, Cavendish Square, and Kingston and serves as a founding member of the RM Partners West London Cancer Alliance.