Written by : Dr. Aishwarya Sarthe
July 8, 2023
The American Oncology Institute (AOI) in Hyderabad has introduced a groundbreaking AI radiotherapy solution called Ethos Radiotherapy, integrated with Varian's IDENTIFY technology for cancer care. This significant milestone in cancer treatment was inaugurated by T. Harish Rao, Minister for Finance, Health, Medical, and Family Welfare of the Government of Telangana. Ethos Radiotherapy utilizes augmented intelligence to customize cancer treatments based on each patient's unique and evolving needs.
The system incorporates IDENTIFY, a surface guidance system that assists with patient positioning through visual assistance. Ethos enables personalized treatment plans by continuously adapting to real-time changes in patient anatomy and tumor location. The IDENTIFY interface detects and tracks real-time changes in the tumor's position during treatment, ensuring precise radiation beam positioning to target only cancerous cells.
Harish Trivedi, CEO of CTSI - South Asia, emphasized that adaptive therapy driven by AI represents the future of radiation therapy. He expressed excitement about introducing the Ethos Radiotherapy system, aligning with their vision of accessible and personalized cancer care in Telangana. Dr. Prabhakar P, Regional Chief Operating Officer of AOI, expressed delight in elevating the American Oncology Institute to a Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Telangana, empowered by AI-driven Ethos Radiotherapy. This achievement further solidifies AOI's position as a leading institution in the fight against cancer, committed to providing clinical expertise, technological excellence, and top-notch service for patients in South Asia.
The Ethos therapy integrated with IDENTIFY allows treatment plans to be modified by capturing movements in internal and external anatomy during each session. This cutting-edge technology adapts to real-time changes during treatment through AI-enhanced image segmentation and surface motion sensors.
By combining adaptive therapy with surface-guided motion management, the Ethos Machine precisely targets tumors based on anatomical changes while sparing healthy cells. Its patient-centric approach to on-couch adaptive treatment prioritizes the well-being of patients.
The American Oncology Institute operates 16 cancer hospitals across South Asia and was founded in 2012 by physicians and industry experts. It has since become a wholly owned subsidiary of Varian Medical Systems, a Siemens Healthineers Company. This strengthens its capabilities in advancing cancer care.