Transplant International (Oct 2023)

Banff Digital Pathology Working Group: Image Bank, Artificial Intelligence Algorithm, and Challenge Trial Developments

  • Alton B. Farris,
  • Mariam P. Alexander,
  • Ulysses G. J. Balis,
  • Laura Barisoni,
  • Peter Boor,
  • Peter Boor,
  • Roman D. Bülow,
  • Lynn D. Cornell,
  • Anthony J. Demetris,
  • Evan Farkash,
  • Meyke Hermsen,
  • Julien Hogan,
  • Julien Hogan,
  • Renate Kain,
  • Jesper Kers,
  • Jesper Kers,
  • Jun Kong,
  • Jun Kong,
  • Richard M. Levenson,
  • Alexandre Loupy,
  • Maarten Naesens,
  • Pinaki Sarder,
  • John E. Tomaszewski,
  • Jeroen van der Laak,
  • Jeroen van der Laak,
  • Dominique van Midden,
  • Yukako Yagi,
  • Kim Solez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/ti.2023.11783
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 36

Abstract

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The Banff Digital Pathology Working Group (DPWG) was established with the goal to establish a digital pathology repository; develop, validate, and share models for image analysis; and foster collaborations using regular videoconferencing. During the calls, a variety of artificial intelligence (AI)-based support systems for transplantation pathology were presented. Potential collaborations in a competition/trial on AI applied to kidney transplant specimens, including the DIAGGRAFT challenge (staining of biopsies at multiple institutions, pathologists’ visual assessment, and development and validation of new and pre-existing Banff scoring algorithms), were also discussed. To determine the next steps, a survey was conducted, primarily focusing on the feasibility of establishing a digital pathology repository and identifying potential hosts. Sixteen of the 35 respondents (46%) had access to a server hosting a digital pathology repository, with 2 respondents that could serve as a potential host at no cost to the DPWG. The 16 digital pathology repositories collected specimens from various organs, with the largest constituent being kidney (n = 12,870 specimens). A DPWG pilot digital pathology repository was established, and there are plans for a competition/trial with the DIAGGRAFT project. Utilizing existing resources and previously established models, the Banff DPWG is establishing new resources for the Banff community.

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