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