What is CLASSICA?

CLASSICA is an EU-funded project looking at how to deploy cancer classification AI technology in the operating theatre. We will clinically validate a novel AI-guided intraoperative decision-support technology across several clinics, surgical teams, and countries. Our technology will differentiate between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues in real-time.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer type globally and the second most common cause of cancer death, leading to almost one million deaths annually. In CLASSICA, we transform a research prototype for classifying colorectal cancer tissue into a tool that will be used by surgeons in the operating theatre. The aim of the technology is to deliver decision-making support for cancer surgeons across Europe. We will:

  • Further develop, test, and launch the CLASSICA platform and use it in five leading cancer surgery centres across Europe, including Ireland, Belgium, Austria, Italy, and the Netherlands. Cancer classification information will be made available to the surgeons and provide valuable support for critical clinical decisions.

  • Deploy CLASSICA as part of a multi-country implementation study involving 500 patients, looking at improved clinical outcomes, classification accuracy, surgeon satisfaction with the digital tool, and much more.

  • Optimise the classification technology for generalisability across clinics. While the AI technology has been tested successfully at two hospitals in Ireland, it is typical in surgery to encounter significant variation in the successful use of new techniques and technologies.

  • Validate biopsy and tumour identification across a heterogeneous population of patients. Optimised resection of large rectal polyps is a key area of current surgical practice where the biggest clinical challenge is ensuring accurate selection for curative therapy.

  • Using results from the clinical study, develop new clinical guidelines to help surgeons and healthcare decision-makers to implement the CLASSICA technology and methods in their own practice as well as assess the suitability of using CLASSICA in their health system.

  • Establish clinical, legal, and ethical precedent for AI support in surgical operations.

  • Develop surgeon training and education materials to support the widespread rollout of CLASSICA in hospitals and clinical settings across Europe.

  • Widely disseminate and communicate our project outputs to cancer patients and their families, clinicians, researchers and research funders, and healthcare decision-makers.

Image of laptop showing video analysis tool with AI decision support in the OR

AI decision support in the OR at the Digital Surgery Unit, MMUH

CLASSICA builds on breakthrough research in the AI analysis of fluorescence and perfusion in cancer tissues carried out by an Irish DTIF Consortium comprising UCD, RCSI and IBM Research over the last three years at the Mater Hospital. Visit the UCD Centre for Precision Surgery website for more information.

The technology has been applied in colorectal cancer surgery and colonoscopy and demonstrates excellent accuracy in differentiating between cancerous and healthy tissue.