“THRUST” kicks off in Catania, an international project to evaluate the impact of smoking on the respiratory system with artificial intelligence

CoEHAR, founded by prof. Riccardo Polosa hosts another international meeting in Catania dedicated to projects for reducing smoking damage. Over the last 6 years, CoEHAR members have seen the presence of hundreds of scientists from all over the world in the city. THEThe Research Center of the University of Catania, thanks to the leadership of prof. Polosa has now consolidated its role of coordinating global research in the field of reducing smoking harm by attracting and incorporating culture and knowledge from all over the globe. An incentive, not only for the scientific authority of CoEHAR members, but also for the city, which has now become a point of social interest for various governments and members of the international scientific community.

“THRUST”, the latest project born within CoEHAR, aims to evaluate smoking-related respiratory endpoints through innovative tools and analysis of new biomarkers.

“To improve our understanding of how smoking affects lung health – explained Polosa – we want to use high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) combined with artificial intelligence tools. In this way we will be able to distinguish the state of lung health between smokers, ex-smokers and individuals who have never smoked”.

The study is recruiting a cohort of 180 healthy volunteers, 60 in each group, to refine the methodology before expanding the study sample size. Over the course of a year, the research team will use specialized artificial intelligence tools to evaluate lung density, structure characteristics and airway measurements through HRCT scans.

The primary objective of the research is to establish a reliable quantitative analysis of lung microstructure, ensuring the repeatability of these measurements. In an innovative approach, secondary objectives include performing a series of cardiorespiratory tests and collecting biological samples to identify new biomarkers of potential harm (BoPH) and verify compliance through biomarkers of exposure (BoE).

A key component of the study is the correlation of HRCT parameters identified by AI with other cardiorespiratory indicators such as spirometry results, oscillometry and tests that evaluate gas exchange in the lungs.

“This testifies – continues Polosa – the synergistic potential of advanced medical imaging, artificial intelligence and multidisciplinary research in understanding and, ultimately, reducing tobacco-related harm”.

The project sees the participation in particular of some members of CoEHAR: prof. Stefano Palmucci, prof. Lucia Spicuzza, prof. Antonio Longo and prof. Davide Campagna. Partners of the project are Metanoic Health (the CRO that conducted the experimentation), ABF (the laboratory specialized in the analysis of biomarkers), prof. Jonathan Belsey; several doctors from the ASPH NHS hospital in the United Kingdom where the study is taking place and Eclat, the spin-off of the university running the study. The countries involved are Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany.