CVS’ Finn Pathologists introduces transformative AI-Assisted Ki-67 prognostic scoring for canine mast cell tumours
Finn Pathologists is introducing an innovative AI-assisted Ki-67 scoring system to help predict the behaviour of canine mast cell tumours, offering more accurate, efficient, and reliable prognostic evaluation.
Canine cutaneous mast cell tumours (cMCT) are among the most common skin tumours seen in veterinary practice. These tumours can range from benign to highly aggressive in behaviour. Accurate grading and prognosis of cMCT are crucial for guiding treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.
The proliferation marker Ki-67 is a valuable adjunctive tool for assessing tumour aggressiveness. However traditional methods of assessing Ki-67 scores involve manually counting the proliferating cells, which is subjective, time-consuming, and prone to variability.
Finn Pathologists’ new AI-assisted Ki-67 scoring test represents a significant advancement in veterinary diagnostic oncopathology. Its AI algorithm analyses Ki-67 labelling across the entire section of tumour. Positively labelled cells are highlighted, scores are calculated, and the results are validated by a pathologist before reporting.
This more automated analysis enables the efficient evaluation of large volumes of histological data, ensuring consistent and reliable prognostic assessments. It removes the subjectivity and variability associated with identifying areas of highest cell proliferation, which is a crucial aspect of tumour scoring.
Model results with heatmap overlay highlights regions with the highest Ki-67 positivity (warmest colours). Inset: A high-power view of model results displaying Ki-67 nuclear positivity in red.
Over the past year, veterinary pathologists Dr. Richard Fox, Dr. Melanie Dobromylskyj, and Dr. Annalize Ide have developed the AI model, in collaboration with Aiforia® Technologies and Bristol Vet Specialists' Owen Davies and Kate Boyd.
The development process has involved acquiring high-quality digital images of Ki-67 labelled histological samples of cMCT across all grades, inputting this data into the AI model, and refining the algorithm. The AI test has since been validated using cases with known clinical outcomes, such as tumour recurrence and patient survival, with results planned for scientific publication.
Dr. Richard Fox, Lead AI Pathologist at Finn Pathologists said:
“As canine mast cell tumours in dogs’ skin are so common, and their behaviour unpredictable, we wanted a more accurate way to help vets to stratify patients based on their risk of tumour recurrence and survival “
Our objective was to create a more standardised and reproducible method for Ki-67 scoring, streamline the Ki-67 scoring process, and improve the accuracy of the assessment of tumour sections. This assists pathologists in identifying the optimal areas for counting and achieve the most accurate score for each patient.”
Established over 30 years ago, Finn Pathologists delivers a broad range of diagnostic services to veterinary professionals throughout the UK and overseas. The lab employs over 100 colleagues and offers biochemistry, cytology, endocrinology, haematology, histopathology, microbiology and results interpretation services.
CVS Group operates across small animal, farm animal, equine, laboratories and crematoria, with over 500 veterinary practices and referral centres in the UK and Australia. In the last five years the company has invested nearly £80 million in its sites, facilities and equipment, in addition to industry leading training and support, to give the best possible care to animals.