LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

AI Application in Pathology Reveals Novel Insights in Endometrial Cancer Diagnostics

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 19 Dec 2022
Print article
Image: A new study has shown the power of AI applied to endometrial carcinoma microscopy images (Photo courtesy of Pexels)
Image: A new study has shown the power of AI applied to endometrial carcinoma microscopy images (Photo courtesy of Pexels)

Endometrial carcinoma is the most common cancer of the gynecologic tract. Now, researchers have shown the power of artificial intelligence (AI) can be applied to endometrial carcinoma microscopy images, offering novel insights that could improve diagnosis and treatment of uterine cancer.

In the past years, researchers at Leiden University (Leiden, the Netherlands) had played a leading role in the development of a novel tumor classification system based on molecular alterations, resulting in four endometrial cancer subtypes. This time, the team set out to investigate if it was possible to predict these molecular classes, based on microscopy-images alone. The researchers applied artificial intelligence on microscopy images of thousands of endometrial carcinoma images from patients that participated in the study.

The team developed a model that robustly predicts the four molecular classes of endometrial carcinomas based on one (hematoxylin and eosin)-stained microscopy slide image, which is the standard histological stain used in diagnostics for assessment of tumor grading and histological subtyping. This model was not “a black-box”, but through reverse-engineering the researchers were able to show which image-features were relevant for its predictions. The model provided the team with important novel insights that can be utilized in future studies to further improve diagnostics, prognostication, and management of endometrial cancer patients.

“The application of AI in pathology is emerging,” said Dr. Tjalling Bosse at Leiden University. “In this project we studied the morphology of tumors that shared the same molecular alteration to better understand the effect these changes have on the appearance of the tumor. With this work, the computer model has directed us to areas in- and outside the tumor that are important.”

“In cancer diagnostics, the number of variables (molecular, tumor morphology, patient data) has increased exponentially and has complexified patient prognosis prediction,” added Sarah Fremond. “Through training unbiased AI models, AI predictions can also teach pathologists in return by, for instance, identifying novel morphological details on microscopy slide images with prognostic value.”

Related Links:
Leiden University

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
Gold Member
Systemic Autoimmune Testing Assay
BioPlex 2200 ANA Screen with MDSS

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The 3D printed miniature ionizer is a key component of a mass spectrometer (Photo courtesy of MIT)

3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models

Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The CAPILLARYS 3 DBS devices have received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Sebia)

Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns

Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The AI predictive model identifies the most potent cancer killing immune cells for use in immunotherapies (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

AI Predicts Tumor-Killing Cells with High Accuracy

Cellular immunotherapy involves extracting immune cells from a patient's tumor, potentially enhancing their cancer-fighting capabilities through engineering, and then expanding and reintroducing them into the body.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The T-SPOT.TB test is now paired with the Auto-Pure 2400 liquid handling platform for accurate TB testing (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Integrated Solution Ushers New Era of Automated Tuberculosis Testing

Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for 1.3 million deaths every year, positioning it as one of the top killers globally due to a single infectious agent. In 2022, around 10.6 million people were diagnosed... Read more