We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Customizable AI Tool Helps Pathologists Identify Diseased Cells

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 26 Jun 2024

Pathologists are tasked with examining body fluids or tissues to diagnose diseases, a process that involves distinguishing rare disease-indicating cells from thousands of normal cells under a microscope. More...

This skill requires extensive training. Artificial intelligence (AI) can assist by learning to differentiate between healthy and diseased cells from digital pathology images. However, traditional AI tools, once trained, lack flexibility. They are designed for specific tasks, such as identifying cancer cells in one organ but not another, and might not align perfectly with a pathologist's specific needs in different scenarios. Now, a collaborative team of computer scientists and physicians has developed a new AI tool that not only identifies diseased cells but also adapts to a pathologist’s requirements.

Developed at Stanford Medicine (Stanford, CA, USA), the tool, named nuclei.io, functions like a human assistant that evolves with feedback. Starting with the basic function of recognizing different cell types by their nuclei, which house genetic material, the tool is designed to improve through interaction. Within an hour of use, nuclei.io can learn to identify the specific cells of interest to a pathologist, enhancing both the speed and accuracy of their work. During its initial trials at Stanford Medicine, the tool demonstrated its ability to speed up and enhance the diagnostic processes, reducing the time and increasing diagnostic accuracy.

In practical tests, where Stanford pathologists used the tool for tasks such as identifying immune cells in uterine biopsies for endometritis or detecting colon cancer cells in lymph nodes, nuclei.io reduced diagnostic times significantly—from 209 seconds to 79 seconds. The AI assistance made the pathologists 62% faster and 72% more accurate in their diagnoses. It is important to note that nuclei.io does not aim to replace the pathologist but rather guide them more efficiently to areas requiring detailed examination. This is part of a broader aim to ensure patients receive rapid and accurate diagnoses. Stanford Medicine pathologists are continuing to evaluate the tool’s effectiveness on a range of diseased cells, showcasing its potential to become a versatile aid in pathology.

“As we face a growing shortage of pathologists, AI tools that work in tandem with doctors have the potential to speed up some of the more tedious, time-consuming parts of our job,” said professor and chair of pathology Thomas Montine, MD, PhD. “One of the strengths of nuclei.io is that it is agnostic to application. This can be a powerful tool for interpreting any biopsy where we are trying to differentiate healthy and malignant cells. That’s not true of any other major AI tool being used in pathology right now.”

Related Links:
Stanford Medicine


New
Gold Member
Hematology Analyzer
Medonic M32B
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
Silver Member
Rapid Test Reader
DIA5000
Autoimmune Disease Diagnostic
Chorus ds-DNA-G
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: AiPlex VAS for the MosaiQ platform is designed to help reduce time-to-diagnosis for patients with autoimmune vasculitis (Photo courtesy of AliveDx)

Novel Multiplex Assay Supports Diagnosis of Autoimmune Vasculitis

Autoimmune vasculitis and related conditions are difficult to diagnose quickly and accurately, often requiring multiple tests to confirm the presence of specific autoantibodies. Traditional methods can... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The test could streamline clinical decision-making by identifying ideal candidates for immunotherapy upfront (Xiao, Y. et al. Cancer Biology & Medicine July 2025, 20250038)

Blood Test Predicts Immunotherapy Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, making immunotherapy a promising yet unpredictable option. Current biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression or tumor... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The sensor can help diagnose diabetes and prediabetes on-site in a few minutes using just a breath sample (Photo courtesy of Larry Cheng/Penn State)

Graphene-Based Sensor Uses Breath Sample to Identify Diabetes and Prediabetes in Minutes

About 37 million U.S. adults live with diabetes, and one in five is unaware of their condition. Diagnosing diabetes often requires blood draws or lab visits, which are costly and inconvenient.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.