Digital Pathology Podcast Aleksandra Zuraw, DVM, PhD

In this episode Dr. Aleks Zuraw sits down with Mariano De Socarraz, President of CorePlus and member of the board of directors at the Digital Pathology Association. 

CorePlus is an anatomic and clinical pathology lab in Puerto Rico that has fully embraced digital pathology and AI.
Key Takeaways
CorePlus converted to 100% whole slide imaging for primary diagnosis in January 2020, before the pandemicThey are pioneering the use of AI algorithms from companies like IBEX, AlpenGlow, Artera and TechCyte for cancer detection and precision pathologyDigital pathology increases efficiency by ~30% and enables benefits like remote reading, better ergonomics, and seamless sharing of casesAI helps detect missed lesions, reduce interoperator variability, and eliminate false negatives in prostate biopsiesThe future of pathology will involve predictive and prognostic information generated right from digital slides (histomics)Making the Digital Transition
Mariano shares how CorePlus, as a technology-forward company, decided in 2018 to fully convert to digital pathology. They took 2019 to prepare, validate their processes following CAP guidelines, and get full buy-in from stakeholders. On January 1st, 2020 they were fully digital.
While acknowledging that glass slides have advantages in simplicity, Mariano believes the benefits of digital pathology for patients and pathologists are too great to ignore. His advice for other practices considering the digital transition:
Focus on re-engineering your workflows first before choosing scannersPlan for IT redundancy to avoid any disruptionGet full buy-in from your teamStart focused and build successes in stagesUnlocking the Power of AI
After seeing a press release about UPMC and IBEX using AI to diagnose prostate cancer, CorePlus reached out to partner with them. They became the first site outside the UK to validate and implement IBEX's algorithm, running it on over 9500 cases as a QC tool.
The algorithm was able to alert pathologists to missed lesions in 73 patients that would have otherwise been false negatives. CorePlus has now moved the algorithm to the front-end to pre-screen and triage all prostate cases.
They are also partnering with other AI companies like AlpenGlow, Artera and TechCyte to bring these benefits to breast, GI, cytology and other subspecialties. Mariano sees AI generating predictive and prognostic insights right from slides.
The Future is Digital
Mariano believes medical education must quickly incorporate digital pathology and AI training to prepare the next generation of pathologists. The Digital Pathology Association is key in fostering collaboration to expand access, especially in underserved communities.
While going digital requires some reinvention, Mariano is excited to pioneer this space. He and CorePlus aim to be "missionaries" doing what's best for patients and the field of pathology.
THIS EPISODE'S RESOURCES:
 Digital Pathology Association  IBEX websiteAlpenglow Biosciences websiteEpredia website CorePlus website Amazon Link for the Digital Pathology 101 BookSupport the Show.
Become a Digital Pathology Trailblazer and See you inside the club: Digital Pathology Club Membership

Swarm Learning in Digital Pathology: Revolutionizing Cancer Histopathology

Today on the Digital Pathology Podcast  my guest is Oliver Saldana, the first author of a significant Nature Medicine paper published in 2022 on 'Swarm Learning for Decentralized Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Histopathology'.

Oliver shares his journey from Mangalore, India, to Germany, where he pursued his master's and PhD, delving into histopathology and decentralized AI under the supervision of Professor Dr. Jakob Nicolas Kather.

The discussion explores the concept of swarm learning as a novel method for deep learning in histopathology, its advantages over centralized learning including compliance with data protection laws like GDPR, and its potential for global collaboration in medical research without sharing sensitive data.

Oliver emphasizes swarm learning’s ease of setup and its alignment with the FAIR principles for scientific data management. The podcast aims to shed light on the groundbreaking work being done in the convergence of pathology and computer science, urging researchers and pathology centers to digitize their slides and contribute to global swarm learning projects.

00:00 Introduction to Swarm Learning and Its Applications
00:50 Intro
01:17 Meet Oliver Saldana: A Trailblazer in Decentralized AI for Cancer Histopathology
03:57 Exploring the Concept of Decentralized AI and Its Importance
06:52 Understanding Centralized vs. Decentralized Learning
08:47 The Revolutionary Approach of Swarm Learning
10:38 Blockchain's Role in Enhancing Histopathology with Swarm Learning
14:50 Addressing Preprocessing and Generalizability in Swarm Learning
21:26 Swarm Learning's Compliance with GDPR and Data Protection
25:05 Exploring Swarm Learning in Medical Data Analysis
25:34 Prototype Study and Real Cohorts in Swarm Learning
27:01 Comparing Swarm Learning with Centralized Models
27:44 The Role of Bare Metal Servers in Swarm Learning
30:01 Centralized Slide Repositories vs. Swarm Learning
44:11 Commercializing Swarm Learning Models
47:07 FAIR Principles and Swarm Learning
51:11 Global Ambitions and the Future of Swarm Learning

THIS EPISODES RESOURCES

📝 Swarm Learning for decentralized and confidential clinical machine learning
🔗 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03583-3

📝The FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and stewardship
🔗https://www.nature.com/articles/sdata201618

🎧BIGPICTURE – THE LARGEST WHOLE SLIDE REPOSITORY FOR AI MODEL DEVELOPMENT IN PATHOLOGY. WHERE DO WE STAND AT MONTH 15/72?
🔗https://digitalpathologyplace.com/podcast/bigpicture-the-largest-whole-slide-repository-for-ai-model-development-in-pathology-where-do-we-stand-at-month-15-72/
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Become a Digital Pathology Trailblazer and See you inside the club: Digital Pathology Club Membership

Navigating Ethical Challenges in AI-Powered Pathology

This episode is a webinar recording. 
It  delves into the complex ethical considerations of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) in pathology. 

Dr. Zuraw begins by exploring the fundamentals of ethics and moves on to discuss the impact of AI in pathology, focusing on:


ethical dilemmas, data diversity issues, biases, and the importance of maintaining professional and societal ethical standards in the wake of AI integration. 
The session touches upon the ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks guiding ethical decision-making in healthcare, alongside the role of regulatory agencies like the FDA. 

It also highlights the significance of data diversity and mitigation strategies to address potential ethical pitfalls in AI utilization. 

The webinar emphasizes the constant balance between advancing technology and ethical responsibility, underlining the need for transparency, governance, and accountability in deploying AI tools in pathology.

00:00 Introduction to Ethics in AI-Powered Pathology
00:30 Exploring the Ethical Dilemmas in Healthcare
00:36 Webinar Overview and Digital Pathology Insights
01:05 Defining Ethics and Its Importance in AI Pathology
02:05 Interactive Webinar Engagement and Audience Participation
03:25 Deep Dive into Ethics: Definitions and Applications
09:31 Ethical Considerations in Biomedical Research
10:34 Navigating Ethical Dilemmas: A Practical Example
13:57 Understanding Ethical Principles in Decision Making
17:14 AI Bias and Representation in Pathology
20:52 Frameworks and Guidelines for Ethical Oversight
25:02 AI Applications in Pathology: Ethical Perspectives
27:21 Exploring AI in Research and Its Capabilities
29:22 AI's Role in Medical Imaging and Diagnostics
33:11 Ethical Considerations and AI in Pathology
34:04 Addressing AI Challenges: Bias, Interpretability, and Security
44:26 AI as a Medical Device: Regulatory Perspectives and Future Directions
49:16 Concluding Thoughts and Audience Engagement


THIS EPISODES RESOURCES:
Interested in getting the slides from this presentation, click hereAI in Pathology: What could possibly go wrong (Paper)Ethics of AI in Pathology: Current Paradigms and Emerging Issues (Paper)Guardrails for the use of generalist AI in cancer care (Nature commentary)No more microscopes. How close are we to glassless pathology? W/ Dr. Richard Levenson, US Davis Health (Podcast episode)Support the Show.
Become a Digital Pathology Trailblazer and See you inside the club: Digital Pathology Club Membership

If any of the statements applies:

➡️ You know AI and Machine Learning are already part of the pathology workflow, but maybe you are not exactly sure which part of the workflow?

➡️ “AI” is still a bit of overhyped, fuzzy buzzword for you?

➡️ You would like to learn about how it can help pathologist and labs work smarter and patients get better care.

Then this webinar is for you!

This is the second part of the “Digital Pathology 101” webinar series, based on the “Digital Pathology 101” book, where Dr. Aleks Zuraw explains digital pathology and AI concepts.

This journey through Chapter 3 illuminates how image analysis, AI, and machine learning not only complement traditional pathology but propel it into new realms of precision and insight.

As we delve into the essence of tissue image analysis and the transformative role of AI and machine learning in modern pathology, you'll discover how these technologies augment diagnostic methods, enhance research, and redefine what's possible in our field.

From the basics of tissue image analysis to the advanced realms of computer vision and the pivotal role of quality control, this webinar bridges the gap between high-level computational domains and daily pathology practice.

What You'll Explore:

The foundational principles of image analysis, AI, and machine learning in pathology.
The crucial balance between classical and AI-based approaches to tissue image analysis and their applications in both regulated and non-regulated environments.
The importance of quality control in ensuring accurate, reliable results from AI-assisted analyses.
An introduction to the key terminology of pathology informatics, demystifying the language that underpins digital pathology and AI.
Who Should Attend:
This webinar is tailored for:

🔴 pathologists,

🔴 researchers, and

🔴 healthcare professionals

who are eager to learn about and/or integrate AI and machine learning into their work.

Whether you're just starting or looking to deepen your expertise in digital pathology, this series offers invaluable insights into leveraging technology for enhanced diagnostic precision and patient care.

Date and Time:
April 11, 2024 at 9:00 - 10:30 a.m., EST

Location:
Online

AI is here, so let’s learn what it means for pathology

how can you leverage it for your work?

and how to navigate this new technology responsibly.


Looking forward to seeing you on the inside!
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Become a Digital Pathology Trailblazer and See you inside the club: Digital Pathology Club Membership

What can digital pathology be used for? Is it just diagnostics or does it go beyond that?
In this webinar, based on chapter 4 of my “Digital Pathology 101” book
you will learn about:
The transformative impact of digital pathology on healthcare.Strategies for integrating digital tools into clinical practice for improved outcomes.The pivotal role of digital pathology in advancing drug development and personalized medicine.Insights and reflections on the future directions of our profession.
Join me for a session filled with enthusiasm, knowledge, and a shared vision for the future of pathology. Together, we'll uncover digital pathology's possibilities for our field and the broader healthcare community.
Your engagement and curiosity drive this field forward, and I can't wait to share this time with you.
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Become a Digital Pathology Trailblazer and See you inside the club: Digital Pathology Club Membership

This week, the digital pathology community gathered at the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) annual meeting in Baltimore. I had the incredible opportunity to attend, spurred by an invitation from Hamamatsu, known for their revolutionary digital pathology scanners like the FDA-cleared S360 and the new S20 model.

Key Takeaways from USCAP:
Innovative Partnerships and Technology: My agenda was filled with meetings that explored the latest in digital pathology. Key highlights include the launch of Hamamatsu's S20 scanner, Techcyte's technological advancements, and Proscia's FDA-approved AP Dx software. The collaboration between Hamamatsu and Agilent, utilizing Proscia's platform, underscored the collaborative spirit driving the field forward.Community Engagement and Recognition: The warmth and recognition from the community were overwhelming. It reinforced the value of our work and the podcast, blending technical insights with personal stories that underline the human aspect of pathology.Advancing Research and Education: A standout moment was learning about the World Tumor Registry initiative from Andrey Bychkov and Alyaksandr Nikitski. This initiative marks a significant step in making valuable pathological data more accessible for research and education, starting with a comprehensive collection of thyroid case slides.
Looking Forward:
The USCAP meeting was a testament to the enthusiasm and innovation within digital pathology. Stay tuned for a detailed video blog covering the conference, highlighting the S20 and more, coming soon on YouTube!


USCAP BULLET UPDATES
Hamamatsu: Known for their FDA-cleared scanner, S360, and the newly launched S20 model.Techcyte: Discussed their dynamic evolution and upcoming projects and their partnership with BD for cervical cytology AI based evaluation.Corista: Learned about their software advancements, including voice recognition for improving pathologist workflows.Smart In Media: Discussed their new camera for microscopes and grossing rooms.Proscia: Celebrated their FDA clearance for the AP Dx software.Epredia: Showcased their pathology equipment, including scanners like the P1000 with water immersion.Aiforia: Highlighted their AI for image analysis, especially the GLP-compliant module for toxicologic pathology.Indica Labs: Featured their pathologist cockpit setup and discussed their comprehensive software solutions.PathPresenter: Met with the CEO, Patrick Myles, and discussed the company's rapid growth and services.Pramana: Discussed their archival scanning services and their new benchtop scanner that runs algorithms during scanning.Grundium: Showed off their new four-slide scanning Ocus and the cute one-slide Ocus scanner. Andrej Bychkov to discuss his poster on the use of ChatGPT by pathologists and told me about the World Tumor Registry initiative.Support the Show.
Become a Digital Pathology Trailblazer and See you inside the club: Digital Pathology Club Membership