AI Navigation in Pancreatic Cancer: How iNav Speeds Diagnosis and Treatment

Watch the full episode of Exploring AI in Oncology: https://oncdata.com/inav-daniel-king Pancreatic cancer is fast-moving and often diagnosed after curative options have narrowed. In this episode, Waqas Haque, MD, MPH, Hematology/Oncology Fellow at the University of Chicago, speaks with Daniel King, MD, PhD, Gastrointestinal Medical Oncologist at Northwell Health and co-inventor of iNav, an AI-enabled navigation platform designed to speed diagnosis and treatment for patients with suspected pancreatic cancer. Dr. King explains how iNav uses natural language processing to scan radiology reports for language suggestive of pancreatic malignancy, flagging high-risk patients before they ever see an oncologist. A dedicated navigation team then connects those AI triggers to real-world action, expediting biopsies, oncology consults, and treatment starts. Early data show meaningful reductions in time from imaging to biopsy, consult, and therapy initiation, helping more patients reach surgery while their disease is still resectable. The conversation also covers balancing early detection with false-positive concerns, the importance of a human-in-the-loop workflow, and how clinician-innovators can leverage grants and health system support to bring AI tools like iNav into practice.