We are a computational pathology research group
at the University Hospital Cologne
connecting clinical specialists and computer scientists.

#Diagnostic tools for digital pathology

#Prognostic and predictive tools for oncology

#Quality control in digital pathology

#Algorithms for federated learning

#Clinical validation studies for digital pathology tools

Explore our Projects
Oesophageal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Lung Cancer
Quality Control
Breast cancer
Metastasis detection
(lymph node)
News

December 16, 2024

GrandQC tool for quality control in digital pathology

The development and validation of the GrandQC tool were published in Nature Communications. This tool provides a groundbreaking solution to the challenge of artifacts by detecting and masking them before they reach downstream algorithms. In addition, GrandQC serves as a valuable benchmark for both pathology institutes and histoscanners, and is available as an open-source resource.

link to journal site


November 16, 2024

Modelling prostate cancer growth and evolution


In our study published in Cell Systems, we present a comprehensive three-dimensional, realistic mathematical model of prostate cancer that integrates processes such as tumor growth, genetic evolution, and clonal competition. This model provides valuable insights into evolutionary trajectories and clonal hierarchies, offering potential clinical implications.

link to journal site


September 1, 2024

Computational platform for lung cancer


In our milestone study in Cell Reports Medicine, we develop a foundational computational pathology platform for non-small cell lung cancer with full explainability. We show how the platform could be effectively used for development of new diagnostic and prognostic algorithms. We suggest several new effective, fully explainable prognostic parameters based on joint evaluation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) and tumor necrosis. These allow for effective patient stratification according to the risk of negative outcomes.

link to journal site


August 15, 2024

AI algorithm for virtual biopsies and optimization of targeted prostate biopsy

In our new study, we show how the highly accurate, precise diagnostic AI algorithm for prostate cancer detection and Gleason grading developed using a fast-track approach can be used to answer the important clinical question - what is the best setup for targeted prostate biopsy?

The results are relevant to both urologists and pathologists and can inform how MRI-targeted biopsies are performed in daily practice.

link to journal site


April 16, 2024

Detection of lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer

Our new paper to fast-track development of a clinical-grade tool for detection of lymph node metastasis was published in Modern Pathology.


In this study, we validate our tool on the histological slides from five pathology departments showing nearly perfect sensitivity and very high specificity for this diagnostic task.

link to journal site


September 29, 2023

Segmentation tool for colorectal specimens / Validation study

Our new paper to development and extensive clinical validation of the AI tool for segmentation / processing of colorectal specimens was published in Modern Pathology. Our algorithm allows for precise, fully quantitative analysis of different tissue classes in colorectal specimens.


We validate the algorithm on one particular clinical, diagnostic task of the colorectal biopsy pre-screening for invasive carcinoma using large multi-institutional case cohort scanned by three different scanning systems.


link to journal site


July 27, 2023

Validation study / Prostate cancer detection and grading tool

Our new paper to one of the largest validation studies for AI tools in digital pathology published to date (for prostate cancer detection and Gleason grading) was accepted in the NPJ Precision Oncology.


Five pathology institutes and 11 pathologists from all over the world participated in this study.


We also release valuable material (slides of prostate biopsies from two departments with grading ground truth by 11 pathologists) as a public dataset.


link to journal site



March 10, 2023

Oesophageal cancer tumor detection and regression grading tool

Our new paper about tumor detection and regression grading in oesophageal adenocarcinoma was published in the Lancet Digital Health journal.


We show how computational tool can substantially improve tumor detection and histological regression grading in resection specimens from patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma and neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy.


link to journal site



February 4, 2023

SemiCOL Challenge for colorectal cancer

We organise SemiCOL computational Challenge together with European Society of Digital and Integrative Pathology (ESDIP) and a large number of partners from clinical and technical departments.


www.semicol.org


© tolklab.de 2023