Dognosis tests AI and canine olfaction for cancer detection

Dognosis, a company based in Bengaluru, is developing an experimental method to detect cancer by combining the olfactory capabilities of trained dogs with artificial intelligence. The process involves patients breathing into a cotton mask for approximately ten minutes. The mask is then sealed and sent to a laboratory where dogs, equipped with sensors and 3D-printed gear, analyze the breath samples for chemical changes associated with various cancers.

Researchers record the dogs' brain activity, respiration, and body language, converting these reactions into data for AI processing. A study involving 1,502 participants across six hospitals in Karnataka, India, evaluated the system's ability to identify seven types of cancer. The results, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, reported a sensitivity of 90.8% and a specificity of 91.3%.

While specialists note that larger studies are required to determine clinical utility, the technology is intended as a non-invasive pre-detection tool rather than a replacement for standard medical diagnostics. Dognosis is currently preparing for a phase 3 trial involving approximately 10,000 participants in India and aims to move toward commercialization next year.