USC Student Develops App Revolutionizing Childhood Cancer Treatment
A 20-year-old student at the University of Southern California has created a groundbreaking software application that enhances the speed and accuracy of cancer treatment for children. Arjun Karnwal, a biomedical engineering major, developed the app called ShotCaller, which significantly reduces the time required for radiation oncologists at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) to plan treatment.
Karnwal, now a junior at USC’s Alfred E. Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering, has always aimed to improve systems and processes. “I’m always sort of innovation-focused, and I always want to improve things even just by 1%,” he stated. His passion for technology began in high school, where he created tools to assist teachers. This early interest laid the foundation for his current work in the medical field.
The primary challenge for doctors is determining the optimal placement of radiation doses, referred to as “shots,” to effectively target tumors. Karnwal’s app computes complex treatment plans in minutes, a task that previously took hours. Dr. Kenneth Wong, a radiation oncologist at CHLA, noted, “It took us about three to four hours to plan, and with Arjun’s algorithm, we were able to come up with a plan in under half an hour.”
Karnwal’s application is particularly effective when using a modern technique known as spatially-fractionated radiation. This method targets large tumors that are resistant to conventional therapies by identifying their weak points. Karnwal likened the approach to packing an Amazon box with tennis balls, emphasizing the complexity of fitting the treatment around healthy tissue and vital organs.
“The math gets more complicated because tumors aren’t shaped like rectangles,” Karnwal explained. “It gets really complicated when we’re worried about three dimensions too.” His app not only streamlines the planning process but also enhances its accuracy. Dr. Wong remarked, “The ShotCaller algorithm is actually better than our human attempts.”
With the implementation of Karnwal’s technology, CHLA has experienced fewer treatment delays, allowing for more efficient administration of radiation, which has been shown to improve patient outcomes. Wong mentioned that the hospital has received numerous inquiries from other centers interested in adopting Karnwal’s work.
For Karnwal, the success of ShotCaller is a source of immense pride. “I think it makes all the late nights and early mornings worth it, and I just feel grateful to have the chance to make something,” he said. This innovative approach not only exemplifies the potential of technology in healthcare but also highlights the impactful contributions of young innovators in addressing significant medical challenges.
