J Thorac Dis. 2026 May 31;18(5):537. doi: 10.21037/jtd-2026-1-0315. Epub 2026 Apr 30.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Although low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has improved early detection, false-positive results, overdiagnosis, and interobserver variability continue to limit screening efficiency and downstream management of pulmonary nodules. This narrative review summarizes recent progress in artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted screening, radiomics-based nodule characterization, and multi-omics integration for the precision diagnosis of lung cancer.

METHODS: A narrative review with thematic analysis was conducted using representative literature on AI-assisted lung cancer screening, quantitative imaging analysis of pulmonary nodules, radiogenomic and multi-omics integration, and clinical translation challenges. Studies were synthesized to highlight technical advances, diagnostic performance, strengths, limitations, and barriers to implementation.

KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: AI improves nodule detection, second-reader support, workflow efficiency, and malignancy-risk estimation in LDCT screening. Radiomics converts CT images into quantitative features that can improve discrimination between benign and malignant nodules, especially when combined with clinical variables or deep-learning models. Beyond imaging alone, radiogenomic and other multi-omics approaches link imaging phenotypes with molecular alterations, treatment response, and prognosis, thereby supporting more individualized management. However, current evidence remains limited by dataset heterogeneity, retrospective design, limited interpretability, and insufficient multicenter prospective validation.

CONCLUSIONS: AI-based imaging and multi-omics integration offer a promising pathway toward earlier detection and more precise diagnosis of lung cancer. Broader clinical adoption will depend on standardized data acquisition, robust external validation, interpretable models, and careful governance of privacy, ethics, and workflow integration.

PMID:42306713 | PMC:PMC13266817 | DOI:10.21037/jtd-2026-1-0315