U-M Health Deploys AI to Map Prostate Cancer with New Precision

CULVER CITY, Calif. – May 12, 2026 – In a significant step forward for oncology care in the American Midwest, University of Michigan Health has become the first medical center in the region to adopt Unfold AI, a revolutionary artificial intelligence platform designed to create highly detailed, patient-specific 3D maps of prostate cancer. The deployment at the university's prestigious Weiser Center for Prostate Cancer promises to arm clinicians with an unprecedented level of insight, transforming how they diagnose, plan, and deliver treatment for the one in eight men who will face the disease in their lifetime.

Developed by Avenda Health, Unfold AI addresses a critical and persistent challenge in urology: the limitations of standard imaging. Conventional MRI scans, while a cornerstone of diagnosis, can be notoriously unreliable. They often fail to detect the full scope of a tumor, with studies indicating that up to 20% of clinically significant cancers are missed entirely and that the size of visible tumors is frequently underestimated. This uncertainty can lead to difficult treatment decisions, risking either insufficient therapy that leaves cancerous tissue behind or overly aggressive procedures that can result in life-altering side effects.

A Leap in Diagnostic Clarity

Unfold AI is engineered to overcome these limitations by moving beyond a single data source. The FDA-cleared multimodal platform synthesizes a patient's complete clinical picture—including MRI scans, biopsy results, pathology reports, and key biomarkers—and uses a sophisticated deep-learning algorithm to generate a personalized 3D map of the prostate. This map visualizes the precise location, size, and extent of the disease, effectively revealing cancer that was previously hidden.

The clinical data supporting the technology's efficacy is compelling. Peer-reviewed studies published in prominent journals like the Journal of Urology have shown that Unfold AI dramatically enhances a physician's ability to identify the true tumor extent. In these studies, the platform increased the sensitivity of cancer detection from a mere 37% with standard methods to an impressive 97%. Furthermore, its ability to predict the cancer's spread into adjacent anatomy reached 92% accuracy, a substantial improvement over the 52% accuracy rate of MRI alone. In some evaluations, the AI-powered predictions of tumor boundaries were found to be 45 times more precise than a physician's assessment without the tool.

"Having access to Unfold AI adds a valuable tool to our evaluation and treatment of this disease," stated Andrew M. Wood, M.D., the urological surgeon at U-M Health who is leading the implementation. "It allows for additional precision in tumor ablation procedures and a more personalized treatment paradigm tailored to each patient."

This newfound precision has a direct impact on clinical decision-making. Research has shown that after consulting the AI-generated map, physicians changed their recommended course of treatment in 27% of cases, often shifting toward more localized, targeted therapies that preserve healthy tissue.

From Innovation to Clinic: The Role of Reimbursement

The journey of any advanced medical technology from a promising concept to a clinical tool accessible to patients is paved with regulatory and financial milestones. Unfold AI's path highlights a successful navigation of this complex landscape. After receiving 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in late 2022, the platform achieved another critical milestone.

The American Medical Association (AMA) granted Unfold AI a new Category III Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code, which became effective in mid-2024. These codes are specifically for emerging technologies, providing a mechanism to track their use and collect data, which is essential for establishing broader insurance coverage. Building on this, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established a national payment rate for the platform's use in hospital outpatient settings.

This federal backing is a powerful validator of the technology's clinical utility and a crucial step in democratizing access. By creating a clear pathway for reimbursement, these decisions help remove financial barriers for hospitals and patients, accelerating adoption and ensuring that the benefits of precision medicine are not limited to a select few. The inclusion of Unfold AI in Medicare's fee schedules is a significant development, setting a precedent for how future AI-driven diagnostic tools in oncology may be integrated into the standard of care.

Redefining Patient Care in the Midwest

The adoption of Unfold AI by University of Michigan Health, whose Urologic Oncology Program is recognized as a national "Program of Excellence," signals a major advancement for patient care in the region. With growing rates of advanced prostate cancer reported in Michigan over the last decade, the need for more accurate diagnostic tools has never been more urgent. The platform's ability to provide a more complete picture of the disease empowers physicians to tailor treatments with greater confidence, whether that involves active surveillance, minimally invasive ablation, or surgery.

"Partnering with University of Michigan Health represents an important step in bringing Unfold AI to leading cancer centers across the country," said Shyam Natarajan, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Avenda Health. "Expanding our footprint into the Midwest is a critical step in our mission to democratize access to precision prostate cancer care, empowering physicians to personalize treatment decisions and improve outcomes for patients."

While Avenda Health is at the forefront of this specific application, the broader field of AI in oncology is rapidly expanding. Other companies and research institutions are developing AI for different aspects of the cancer care continuum, from improving initial MRI interpretation to creating educational tools for patients. However, Unfold AI's focus on integrating multimodal data to create a comprehensive, treatment-guiding map, combined with its significant regulatory and reimbursement achievements, positions it as a leader in translating AI from a theoretical tool into a practical, impactful clinical solution. This partnership in the Midwest is more than a single technology deployment; it represents a new frontier in the fight against prostate cancer, where data-driven precision aims to deliver better outcomes and a higher quality of life for men everywhere.