Technology Innovations Are Dramatically Shaping the Anatomic Pathology Landscape
Anatomical pathology stands on the cusp of groundbreaking advancements, propelled by innovations in digitization, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and big data. The integration of computational data and AI-driven algorithms is steering the field toward more personalized diagnostic outcomes, tailored to individual genetic profiles and characteristics.
The fusion of digital microscopy, automation, and interpretative data are set to revolutionize the pathology workflow. The increasing availability and systemization of diagnostic data coupled with enhanced data-sharing capabilities across the healthcare continuum, empower pathologists to play a more central role in therapeutic decision-making. Together these advancements necessitate a swift adoption of new technological skills by pathologists.
Is Your Anatomic Pathology Practice ‘Digitally Ready’?
Many anatomic pathology labs are gearing up to transition to digital equipment and platforms to boost efficiency and improve patient care. The digital pathology market provides a diverse array of technologies to support these advancements. Shifting from traditional manual microscopy to an image-based system that manages and interprets tissue information represents a significant overhaul of a lab's infrastructure.
As a leader in digital Mitotic Cell counting with its vendor-neutral PathFlow® AI platform Gestalt Diagnostics advocates for a phased approach to adopting these new technologies. This gradual implementation is crucial for many labs to ensure a smooth and effective transition.
“With such a vast array of new technologies available to acquire and implement, it can be overwhelming, explains Lisa Jean Clifford, COO and Chief Strategy Officer at Gestalt Diagnostics. Anatomic pathology labs would be advised to first consider how to integrate these innovations into their clinical practices to enhance their effectiveness and sustainability. Some healthcare environments are not ‘digital pathology-ready’ and may require a phased-in approach for long-term success.”
2024 Anatomic Pathology – Technology News
Here we’ve compiled a guide to the key technology categories that leading anatomic pathology labs are evaluating today: digital imaging technologies, automation, molecular diagnostics, AI and Machine Learning, and Big Data.
Imaging technology has become an essential part of modern pathology. Leica, a leading provider of whole slide imaging microscopes and scanners combines digital imaging with AI intelligence to enhance workflow, accuracy, and reporting. Hamamatsu, a global supplier of photonic devices has developed a high-resolution scanner that converts glass slides into high-resolution digital data that can be saved, shared, and archived. Recently Agilent Technologies has partnered with Hamamatsu to integrate the NanoZommer high-speed slide-to-digital scanner system into Agilent's end-to-end digital pathology platform. This collaboration combines Agilent's expertise in diagnostics and laboratory technologies with Hamamatsu's advanced imaging systems.
Automation has the potential to streamline many manual processes in pathology laboratories, leading to improved quality and reduced human error. Roche's navify® Digital Pathology automated platform combines their VENTANA slide scanner with analysis algorithms that work together with IBEX's pathology-assisted clinical-grade tissues insight software. The IBEX AI-driven software provides decision support for breast and prostate analysis, aiding in cancer grading and subtyping.
Voicebrook, a leading provider of speech transcription software, is transforming pathology workflows. Their patented system combines front-end speech recognition with specialized reporting templates, vocabularies, and workflow tools tailored for pathologists. The software allows pathologists to dictate findings directly, which are then transcribed into text for reports. It adapts to each pathologist's unique vocabulary and integrates seamlessly with a laboratory information system (LIS), or with digital partners, such as Gestalt Diagnostics, to automate and streamline the reporting process.
Molecular diagnostic companies offer specialized DNA and RNA testing of tumors to help clinicians accurately diagnose and predict tumor-based therapies. Seegene, a pioneer in the molecular diagnostics industry, provides multi-targeted molecular PCR assays on their patented platform. Pillar Biosciences, one of the industry's leading players in NGS solutions, uses its proprietary technologies to optimize NGS analysis, reducing cost and complexity.
An emerging capability is the utilization of multi-omic and biomarker data to comprehend the intricate interactions between tumor and immune cells. ViosPharm, a leader in the development of novel therapeutics, and Akoya Biosciences' PhenoCycle Fusion platform are collaborating to incorporate omics and biomarkers into the diagnostics workflow. This enables pathologists to gain a better understanding of the gene expression and phenotypic features of disease progression and treatment response.
AI and machine learning are making significant strides, with Gestalt Diagnostics and Paige leading the charge. Paige’s FDA-approved platform uses AI for digital pathology and cancer detection, particularly in breast and prostate cancers. Gestalt focuses on multi-omic data integration and is collaborating with several AI vendor partnerships such as MindPeak, VisioPharm, IBEX, Paige, DeepBio, Owkin, and others to incorporate AI-based algorithms across multiple specimen types for quantifying cancer cells. Lisa- Jean Clifford from Gestalt Diagnostics indicates that these collaborations are key to improving patient case triaging, accuracy and time to diagnosis.
Big Data is transforming anatomical pathology by improving diagnostic accuracy and personalized medicine. Machine learning algorithms are analyzing digital images at the cellular level to identify patterns and predictive markers. Corista stands out with its workflow tools for digitized image analysis and telepathology. Proscia, Gestalt and Aiforia are advancing pathology workflow optimization, with Proscia's Concentriq software integrating image data into clinical ecosystems, Gestalt providing a platform supporting workflows across clinical, education and research and Aiforia showcasing its versatility across pathology, life sciences, and medical research.
The Road Ahead
Continual technological disruptions are anticipated to modernize anatomic pathology even further. We can expect to see emerging technologies such as augmented reality, advanced visualization tools, and miniaturized diagnostic devices that promise deeper insights into disease mechanisms. “New technologies have the potential to dramatically accelerate both research and clinical diagnostics,” explains Clifford. “The promise of unprecedented speed, accuracy, and versatility, will advance the field in ways previously unimagined.”