AI-Driven Innovation in the Pathology Laboratory: From Metastasis Detection to Quality Control

The clinical pathology lab is rapidly evolving, with digital pathology enabling improved workflows and communication between pathologists. Even more transformative is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance patient care and reduce workload. For instance, AI-assisted detection of lymph node metastases (CONFIDENT-B trial, Nature Cancer) saves time and resources by reducing the need for immunohistochemistry (IHC). Similarly, AI-driven quality control for HER2 IHC improves diagnostic consistency by monitoring staining variations and providing standardized, quantitative assessments (ScienceDirect). These developments underscore AI’s role as both a diagnostic aid and a tool for maintaining laboratory standards.

In this presentation, we will highlight recent AI innovations within the UMCU pathology lab, including:
• Automated sample cutting
• Automated mitosis detection
• Automated metastasis detection
• Automated IHC quality control

–  Sven van Kempen –