From CAP Today by Karen Lusky:

You know a new technology is catching on when the talk becomes less about whether it will be adopted and more about how and why. That shift appears to be taking place in the digital pathology world where the focus today is on how to make digital work for pathologists and laboratories. The digital pathology market itself is changing, too, as more vendors surface with different business agendas and strategies.

Read full story entitled "Parade of Hopefuls in Digital Pathology" in CAP Today.

Yours truly has a few quotes with my thoughts in the article and some counterpoints from others.

Best Practice™ Seminar Slated for Tuesday, March 1, at Noon

CBLPath will highlight its Best Practice™ Partnership Program at the upcoming United States & Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) annual meeting February 26–March 4 in San Antonio, Texas. Attendees can visit Booth #202 in the exhibit hall to learn more about leveraging the convergence of anatomic, molecular and digital pathology to remain independent — Keeping Medicine Local™.

CBLPath will provide valuable information about the company’s full range of business and technology solutions that enable pathology Practices to deliver better medicine, faster. In addition to meeting company representatives USCAP attendees can:

• Attend CBLPath’s Best Practice seminar on Tuesday, March 1, at 12 p.m.
• Speak with Best Practice Program Partners
• See a demo of LabIS^®, CBLPath’s proven pathology management system

Attendees wishing to register for the seminar can do so online at http://www.CBLPath.com/BestPractice.

About CBLPath

CBLPath is a national specialty lab with a unique leadership position in the convergence of anatomic, molecular and digital pathology. Beginning from a clinical perspective, we harness molecular testing and digital pathology on an anatomic pathology foundation. CBLPath is committed to helping our clients deliver better medicine, faster. At our core are pathologists; excited about technology and innovation and its promise of helping patients. Through the Best Practice^TM Partnership Program we help our pathologist-clients effectively compete against centralized reference laboratories, grow their Practice and remain independent — Keeping Medicine Local™. We provide our subspecialty physician clients comprehensive diagnostics and timely, accurate reports enabling the best patient care. For more about the company, please visit http://www.CBLPath.com.

Join Definiens on March 1st at the 100th Annual USCAP meeting, for a seminar entitled, “Digital Pathology Image Analysis in Translational Research and Clinical Trials" with special guest speakers:

• Mark Lloyd, Manager – Analytical Microscopy Core Facility – Moffitt Cancer Center;
• Dr. Marilyn Bui, Scientific Director, Analytic Microscopy Core Facility and Director of Cytopathology Fellowship - Moffitt Cancer Center
• Dr. Belinda Cancilla, Associate Director Pharmacology and Manager Histology Core – Exelixis

When: 5:30pm, March 1st
Where: San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter

First Talk:

Title: How to get the most out of digital pathology in translational research?

Presenters:

Mark Lloyd, Manager – Analytical Microscopy Core Facility – Moffitt Cancer Center;

Dr. Marilyn Bui, Scientific Director, Analytic Microscopy Core Facility and Director of Cytopathology Fellowship - Moffitt Cancer Center

Abstract:

Cancer cell heterogeneity has long been accepted to be a factor of cancer progression and resistance to therapeutic intervention. To gain quantitative insights in tumor heterogeneity, many studies have been carried out at the molecular and genetic scale; however, there is little information on tumor heterogeneity at the cellular scale by image analysis. While genetics and signaling networks are the basis of core traits; cell variability with respect to their ability to perform core trait functions under diverse conditions within the physical microenvironment (PME) is what may decide trends in tumor growth dynamics. This study investigates the utility of digital slide scanning in conjunction with image analysis algorithms to evaluate details of the interaction between breast cancer progressions as it relates to changes in the tumor’s physical microenvironment (PME).

Second Talk:

Title: Digital pathology and image analysis in clinical trials

Presenter:

Dr. Belinda Cancilla, Associate Director Pharmacology and Manager Histology Core – Exelixis

Digital pathology combined with advanced image analysis methods has enabled researchers to generate extensive data sets for a variety of samples types, in both histopathology applications as well as analysis of pharmacodynamic (PD) biomarkers in tumor and surrogate tissues. For histopathology, data generated by capturing whole slides at high magnification together with an automated image analysis approach will be compared to more traditional manual methods for histologically stained samples (hematoxylin and eosin in FFPE sections, and oil red O in frozen sections). For PD biomarkers, analysis of signaling pathway inhibition by examining phosphoprotein expression in immunofluorescently labeled samples will be discussed. Novel applications for 3D image analysis of PD biomarkers in surrogate tissues such as hair wholemount confocal images will also be presented.

Also, be sure to check out Definiens Tissue Studio at booth # 573.

        The Wall Street Journal (2/12, Dooren) reported that the FDA on Friday announced it has approved a mammography device by Hologic Inc. The Selenia Dimensions System is the first device with the ability to generate three-dimensional images of the breast to be approved in the US. The agency expects that 3-D system will reduce the number of women who are called back for additional screening. Currently, about 10% of the women who receive mammograms are called back for additional testing because of unclear readings and false-positives in their original set of mammograms, according to FDA estimates.

        According to the Boston Globe (2/12, Weisman), the Selenia device is based "digital tomosynthesis, which can see through overlapping tissue often obscured in two-dimensional scans." The AP (2/14) adds that although the system "doubles the radiation exposure" for patients, the FDA emphasized that it also "increases" diagnosis accuracy. The agency approved the device based on "two studies" that demonstrated a "7-percent improvement in spotting cancerous tumors when viewing images from Hologic's device, compared with traditional 2-D images. ... 'Physicians can now access this unique and innovative 3-D technology that could significantly enhance diagnosis and treatment approaches,'" said FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health Director Jeffrey Shuren. The Selenia device is "already approved in Europe, Latin America and Asia."

        The Los Angeles Times (2/12, Zajac) noted that although the technology will "presumably reduce" the number of inconclusive initial mammograms, it is unclear whether the device would ultimately reduce the rate of breast cancer mortalities. Carol Lee, M.D., who chairs the American College of Radiology's Committee on Breast Imaging, "said it's too early to tell how useful the technology will be." It has not yet been shown whether 3-D scanning can pinpoint "more cancers," Dr. Lee said.

        Meanwhile, HealthDay (2/13) reports that currently, about "200,000 women" are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and one in eight women "will face a diagnosis of breast cancer sometime during their lifetime," according to NCI data. Reuters(2/14, Heavey), CNN (2/11, Caruso) in its "The Chart" blog and MedPage Today (2/13) also reported FDA's approval of the 3-D scanning device.