The recent FDA approval of the first digital pathology platform is leading to the rapid expansion of tools and applications of digital pathology in medicine. The Sixth Annual Digital Pathology conference is a comprehensive look at the field and brings together clinicians and technology developers to talk about how this digital transformation is playing out in medical practice. Don’t miss learning about recent progress in machine learning to diagnose cancer, automated image analysis, whole slide imaging in clinical trials, streaming analytics, and pathology images for enterprise use.
Arrive Early for:
- February 11th 2:00PM-5:00PM: SC7: Precision Medicine 101 - Detailed Agenda
- February 11th 5:30PM-8:30PM: SC12: Leveraging Cloud Technologies to Enable Large-Scale Integration of Human Genome and Clinical Outcomes Data - Detailed Agenda
- February 11th 8:00AM – 11:00AM: SC22: Cell-Based Biomarkers for Cancer Immunotherapy Discovery and Development - Detailed Agenda
- February 14th 6:00PM – 9:00PM: SC26: Multiplexing Single Cell Analysis: A Combined Effort - Detailed Agenda
*separate registration required, or choose up to 3 short courses in the All Access Registration
Scientific Advisory Board
Eric F. Glassy, M.D., FCAP, Medical Director, Affiliated Pathologists Medical Group
Liron Pantanowitz, M.D., Professor, Pathology & Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Conference Chairman
David C. Wilbur, M.D., Professor, Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital
Monday, February 12
10:30 am Conference Program Registration Open
11:50 Chairperson’s Opening Remarks
Liron Pantanowitz, M.D., Professor, Pathology & Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
12:00 pm Intraoperative Teleneuropathology: Past, Present and Future
Clayton A. Wiley, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Pathology; Director, Neuropathology; PERF Endowed Chair, Neuropathology, Presbyterian Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Telemedicine is an efficient means of distributing professional medical expertise over a broad geographical area. Providing sub-specialty pathology expertise to remote sites while preserving physical centers of excellence for specialists to practice together is an economic and quality benefit of telepathology. Surmounting technical, professional and legal hurdles within our institution allowed us to expand our practice to cross state lines and communicate between geographically and financially separate medical centers.
12:30 Digital Pathology: Computational Phenotyping and Precision Medicine
Joel Saltz, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Chair, Biomedical Informatics, Stony Brook University
I will survey the development of digital pathology methodology beginning with the 1997 virtual microscope prototype at Hopkins to current tools, methods and algorithms designed to display, analyze and classify whole slide imaging data. I will describe the capabilities of current methods and describe how digital pathology analytics will be used to improve diagnostic precision and improve the targeting of cancer treatments.
1:00 Session Break
1:10 Luncheon Presentation I: Novel Multiplexed Digital Pathology Algorithms Identify Superior Predictors of anti-PD-1 Response: A Real World Study
Naveen Dakappagari, Ph.D., Senior Director, Protein and Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Development, New Assay Development, Navigate BioPharma Services, Inc.
PD-1/L1axis-targeted therapies produce durable responses in a subset of patients; however, reliable tests predictive of anti-PD-1 responses have remained elusive. Novel multiplexed digital pathology approach across ten cancer centers (n=166) led to identification of two unique biomarker signatures: PD1/L1 Interaction and HLA-DR/IDO1; 82% of the metastatic melanoma patients co-expressing these two signatures responded to approved PD-1 blockers (p=0.000004) and experienced significant improvement in survival (p = 0.0018). Mechanistic models and diagnostic implications will be discussed.
1:40 Session Break
2:30 Chairperson’s Remarks
Eric F. Glassy, M.D., FCAP, Medical Director, Affiliated Pathologists Medical Group
2:40 Digital Pathology in Immuno-Oncology – A Roadmap for Clinical Development
Christopher Ung, MBA, Chief Business Officer, HistoGeneX
Immuno-oncology clinical development requires the sophisticated understanding of intersecting immune and oncology pathways. These challenges are increasingly being addressed with digital solutions combining high-resolution images of histological specimens with complex object recognition algorithms. Despite these advancements, the inertia of migrating to digital images remains significant to many parties. Implementation requires thoughtful systems validation that balance quality requirements with sustainable practices suitable for immuno-oncology drug development.
3:00 Multiplexes IHC and Image Analysis in Immuno-Oncology Drug Development and Companion Diagnostics
Vipul Baxi, M.S., Group Lead, Sr. Research Scientist, Digital Pathology, Bristol Myers Squibb
Conventional immunohistochemistry, multicolor flow cytometry and next-generation sequencing have helped shape our understanding of immuno-oncology based therapeutic approaches. However, these technologies do not provide a comprehensive view of the interactions between tumor and immune cells in the tumor-microenvironment. This talk will explore the role of multiplexed IHC and automated image analysis in I-O drug development, and its potential as a platform for patient stratification and companion diagnostics.
3:20 How Digital Pathology and Multiplex IHC Can Help Cancer Patients
Jennifer Giltnane, MD, PhD, Research Pathologist, Genentech
Digital pathology coupled with multiplex IHC provides spatial distribution information: a key advantage over gene expression approaches to capture tumor biology. The current impact and future potential benefits to cancer patients of optimizing this strategy will be optimized in this discussion.
3:40 Clinical Trials and WSI: Can WSI Be Used as Instrument in Clinical Trials and Pass Regulatory Requirements?
Esther Abels, MSc, Director Regulatory, Clinical and Medical Affairs, Emerging Businesses, Philips Digital Pathology Solutions
Pharma companies will be able to use robust WSI products to discover and/or develop biomarkers, companion or complementary diagnostics. The technological advances of digitization and associated validation studies could be instrumental in transforming histopathology and molecular pathology, connect research communities, improve objectivity in tissue biomarker analytics and support the central role that pathology plays in precision medicine. The question is whether regulatory bodies will accept digitized images in clinical validation studies used for NDAs.
4:10 Standardized Profiling of the Immune Status based on Spatial & Functional Characterization of the Tumor Microenvironment
Guenter Schmidt, Ph.D., Vice President, Definiens AG
Characterization of the immune status of patients becomes increasingly important to personalize cancer treatments. We developed a standardized multiplex immunohistochemistry assay (IO-panel) to profile the immune status of patient tumors into biologically meaningful and clinically actionable categories using next generation image mining and data analysis tools.
4:25 Artificial Intelligence for Precision Cancer Pathology
Andrew Beck, CEO, PathAI
PathAI, formed in 2016, uses deep learning to build AI solutions for applications in pathology. PathAI's solutions reduce errors, increase efficiency, and aim to match the right patient to the right treatment. In this talk, we will show how PathAI is using AI to advance cancer research and practice.
4:40 Refreshment Break and Transition to Plenary Session
5:00 Plenary Keynote Session (click here for more details)
6:00 Grand Opening Reception in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing
7:30 Close of Day
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Download Brochure | Final Days to Register!
Tuesday, February 13
7:30 am Registration Open and Morning Coffee
8:00 Plenary Keynote Session (click here for more details)
9:00 Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing
10:05 Chairperson’s Remarks
Jason Baron, M.D., Assistant, Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital; Assistant Professor, Pathology, Harvard Medical School
10:15 Deep Learning Workflow Design for Next-Generation Digital Pathology
Nigel Lee, Ph.D., Chief Algorithmic Officer, Corista LLC
Effective application of machine learning in automated image analysis requires end-to-end system workflow design that includes organization of training data, implementation and tuning of a deep learning neural network, and determination of a meaningful scoring methodology. This talk presents the implementation and results for one such system designed to detect glomeruli in kidney tissue images for rapid but accurate presentation to working pathologists.
10:45 Enhancing the Diagnostic Value of Clinical Laboratory Data Using Machine Learning, Data Analytics and Clinical Decision Support
Jason Baron, M.D., Assistant, Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital; Assistant Professor, Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Not only do clinical laboratory data underlie many clinical decisions, these data also hold a treasure trove of information that informaticians and researchers can mine to optimize patient diagnosis and management and to discover new clinical knowledge. This session will discuss clinical laboratory data mining and applications of machine learning and other analytic methods to clinical laboratory data. The presentation will also include several case studies describing the use of machine learning to address real-world clinical laboratory challenges.
11:15 AI, AI, AI: Multiple Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence in Digital Pathology
Richard Levenson, M.D., Professor and Vice Chair for Strategic Technologies, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center
11:45 Integrated Workflow: A Seamless Experience for Digital Case Management
Joe Nollar, Associate Vice President, Product Development, Engineering – LIS, XIFIN, Inc.
Conor Ward, Vice President, Sales, XIFIN, Inc.
Laboratory test results drive 70% of diagnostic and treatment decisions. Diagnostic laboratories must play a central role in driving better patient outcomes, clinically and financially, in healthcare. XIFIN’s integrated platform enables seamless workflow from accessioning, interpretation, and financials. The cloud-based platform enables cost savings, improved quality, and appropriate reimbursement.
12:00 pm Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)
12:15 Session Break
12:25 Luncheon Presentation: Picture Perfect: Digital Pathology in Pharma, Precision Medicine and Modern Biomarker Discovery
Esther Abels, Director, Q&R and Medical Affairs, Digital Pathology Solutions, Philips
Paul O’Reilly, Ph.D., Head, Research, Image Analytics; Philips Digital Pathology Solutions
Tissue pathology is at the core of the pharmaceutical pipeline from discovery to preclinical safety studies, clinical trials to the development and evaluation of companion diagnostics. Digital pathology has the potential to support the improvement and accelerate drug development through the more effective digital management, sharing, collaboration, analysis and integration of pathology images, across all stages of drug development.
1:25 Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing
2:00 Chairperson’s Remarks
Liron Pantanowitz, M.D., Professor, Pathology & Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
2:10 Implementing Whole Slide Imaging for Clinical Diagnostics: The Good and the Bad
Anil Parwani, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, Professor and Vice Chair, Pathology, Ohio State University
Whole slide imaging (WSI) has the potential to make clinical diagnostics a more dynamic process with advanced features including incorporation of computer-aided diagnosis. The objectives of this presentation are to discuss key factors including technology, people, infrastructure and finances to consider when implementing WSI for clinical diagnostics. There will be discussion on current and future directions for this exciting technology.
2:40 Dollars and Sense of Implementing Digital Pathology for Frozen Section and Primary Diagnosis
Andrew J. Evans, M.D., Ph.D., FRCPC, Staff Pathologist and Associate Professor, University Health Network, Laboratory Medicine Program, Toronto General Hospital
3:10 The Emerging World of Enterprise Imaging and Its Impact on Pathology
Liron Pantanowitz, M.D., Professor, Pathology & Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Many institutions are embarking on securing an enterprise longitudinal patient image record that unites disparate imaging environments and workflows. Most pathology labs have traditionally managed their own images at the departmental level. With greater acceptance of whole slide imaging for primary diagnosis pathologists are slowly being pressurized to partake in these initiatives. This will allow users outside the pathology department to gain access to whole slide images. This talk will address this emerging trend including different technical platforms, approaches, and practices for managing enterprise imaging data. Challenges including the adoption of interoperability standards such as DICOM will be addressed.
3:40 Presentation to be Announced
4:10 Valentine’s Day Celebration in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing
5:00 Breakout Discussions in the Exhibit Hall
These interactive discussion groups are open to all attendees, speakers, sponsors, & exhibitors. Participants choose a specific breakout discussion group to join. Each group has a moderator to ensure focused discussions around key issues within the topic. This format allows participants to meet potential collaborators, share examples from their work, vet ideas with peers, and be part of a group problem-solving endeavor. The discussions provide an informal exchange of ideas and are not meant to be a corporate or specific product discussion.
Machine Learning Techniques and Big Data to Enable Precision Medicine
Nicholas J. Schork, Ph.D., Professor, Quantitative Medicine, The Translational Genomics Research Institute
- How can machine learning be leveraged in very early, pre-clinical drug development initiatives, e.g., in drug screening studies, that might enable precision medicine?
- What changes to current clinical trials infrastructure would need to be made to accommodate emerging big data and machine learning techniques?
- What machine learning and big data-oriented strategies might complement, or even replace, traditional late phase (e.g., phase IV) clinical trials infrastructure?
Breaking Down Barriers to Implementing Telepathology
Clayton A. Wiley, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Pathology; Director, Neuropathology; PERF Endowed Chair, Neuropathology, Presbyterian Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- Defining the barriers
- Aligning the incentives
- Defining the value
Wednesday, February 14
7:30 am Registration Open and Morning Coffee
8:00 Plenary Keynote Session (click here for more details)
10:00 Refreshment Break and Poster Competition Winner Announced in the Exhibit Hall
10:50 Chairperson’s Remarks
Liron Pantanowitz, M.D., Professor, Pathology & Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
11:00 Tomorrow’s Landscape for Digital Hematopathology
Mohamed Salama, M.D., Professor, Pathology, University of Utah; Chief, Hematopathology; Vice President, ARUP Reference Laboratory
This session will review the advances in digital technology and explore some of the present strengths, weaknesses and future applications of digital imaging in hematology. We will discuss how viewing digital images differs from the viewing of glass slides through a microscope; and how this technology can provide diagnostic equivalence or even added values. This session will provide insight on how this can be used in many roles today and its implications tomorrow.
11:30 Advancing Cancer Diagnostics with Deep Learning
Martin Stumpe, Ph.D., Technical Lead Manager, Google
This talk will begin by providing a brief background on deep learning and how it’s been utilized at Google for healthcare and non-healthcare applications. The latter half of the talk will discuss the potential of deep learning to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the pathology workflow while highlighting recent advances towards that goal.
12:00 pm PathPresenter.com - The Social Platform for Pathology
Rajendra Singh, M.D., Associate Professor, Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine, Mt. Sinai
PathPresenter.com is an innovative platform that provides free access to more than 10,000 digital slides that clinicians can use for learning, teaching and presenting pathology. Interactive tools to enhance interaction, share cases, get second opinions, seamlessly integrate into PowerPoints, along with the ability to view radiology images as well as 3D images make PathPresenter a unique platform that will disrupt medical education and publishing in the 21st century.
12:30 Session Break
12:40 Enjoy Lunch on Your Own
1:10 Dessert Break in the Exhibit Hall and Last Chance for Poster Viewing
1:50 Chairperson’s Remarks
2:00 Artificial Intelligence vs. Medical Doctor: Implications for Practice of Surgical Pathology
Keith J. Kaplan, M.D., Pathologist, CMO, Corista LLC; Publisher, Tissuepathology.Com
Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) show great promise in several fields of medicine. The field of deep learning is enabling the development of expert-level automated algorithm. There are two aspects of the value in using AI. First is the practical aspect. Use of AI can speed the diagnostic process, ensuring diagnostic assessments are more reproducible. This helps physician productivity by automating some of the decision-making process, allowing the computer do more of the disease detection and classification. This is similar to the automation of cytopathology and the productivity advances found there. The deeper aspect of AI’s impact is in its ability to analyze the data found. AI algorithms will begin to find patterns a human wouldn’t necessarily see, extending what physicians can do today. Finding new patterns that aren’t seen today would be a substantial step forward. The advances could address the impact disease has on outcomes, or the related development of other diseases.
2:30 PANEL DISCUSSION: AI vs. Medical Doctor
Moderator: Keith J. Kaplan, M.D., Pathologist, CMO, Corista LLC; Publisher, Tissuepathology.Com
Panelists:
Doug Bowman, VP, Pharma Services, Indica Labs
Patricia Goede, Ph.D., Vice President, Clinical Informatics, XIFIN, Inc
Dan Hosseinzadeh, CEO, Pathcore; Co-Chair, DICOM Pathology Working Group
Paul O’Reilly, Ph.D., Head of Research, Image Analytics; Philips Digital Pathology Solutions
Liron Pantanowitz, M.D., Professor, Pathology & Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Guenter Schmidt, Ph.D., Vice President Research, Definiens AG
AI is simply a tool – not a replacement for the physician. Deep learning can be applied to numerous diagnostic tasks and defines a new era in digital pathology. This session will focus on advancements in AI in surgical pathology and what the use of this technology means for the future of the practice of pathology.
- Understand basic definitions of AI and deep learning
- Review applications and use cases to date within medicine and pathology
- Discuss implications of AI for practice of pathology
- Highlight potential opportunities and weaknesses for AI within pathology
3:30 Session Break
3:40 Chairperson’s Remarks
Liron Pantanowitz, M.D., Professor, Pathology & Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
3:45 2013 College of American Pathologists Guidelines for Validating Whole-Slide Imaging for Diagnostic Purposes: How Time Flies - It’s Time to Revise
Andrew J. Evans, M.D., Ph.D., FRCPC, Staff Pathologist and Associate Professor, University Health Network, Laboratory Medicine Program, Toronto General Hospital
In 2013, the College of American Pathologists released a 12-statement guideline for validating whole-slide imaging (WSI) for diagnostic purposes with a 4-year revision cycle. In late 2017, work began to revise this guideline taking into account experience with the initial version, evidence published since 2013 and factors associated with the 2017 FDA approval of the first WSI system for primary diagnosis. This presentation will provide an overview of the revision process.
4:15 Medicolegal Issues in Digital Pathology
Timothy Craig Allen, M.D., J.D., FCAP, FASCP, Professor and Chair, Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center
Digital pathology is a relatively new, and growing, aspect of anatomic pathology. Its successful use will require a good understanding of its legal aspects. This talk is meant to provide a practical overview of the legal aspects, including aspects involving HIPAA, surrounding the pathologists’ use of digital pathology for diagnosis, teaching, and consultation.
4:45 The CAP Digital Pathology Resource Guide: A Cicerone for Pathology’s Digital Evolution
Eric F. Glassy, M.D., FCAP, Medical Director, Affiliated Pathologists Medical Group
A cicerone is a tour guide: someone who gives information about places of interest to sightseers. But even cicerones need a guidebook, and that is just what the Digital Pathology Resource Guide is — the first step you take in provisioning for pathology’s digital future. This talk will present an overview of the book and pull out pearls and hot topics that can lead to successful implementation of digital pathology in general and whole slide imaging in particular. This comprehensive guide includes curated journal articles and introductory commentary divided into eight sections that cover clinical applications, regulatory barriers, research, education, ROI strategies and keys to successful workflow integration. It is a great resource for pathologists who want to take that disruptive leap into a glass-less future.
5:15 Close of Conference Program