Dr. Lal PathLabs has set a new benchmark in Indian healthcare by becoming the first diagnostic laboratory in the country to integrate a deep learning-based artificial intelligence (AI) system for detecting lymph node metastasis, including the challenging detection of micrometastasis, in cancer patients.
The advanced solution, developed in collaboration with healthtech company Qritive, was recently presented at the prestigious United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology 2025 conference—one of the world’s most respected platforms for pathology research and innovation.
Traditionally, identifying micrometastases—tiny clusters of cancer cells within lymph nodes—requires labor-intensive reviews and specialized testing. The newly introduced AI tool, QiAI Lymph Node Dx, simplifies this process by applying deep learning algorithms to digital pathology slides, ensuring faster, more precise detection of cancer cells. By integrating this technology into routine workflows, oncological diagnoses are expected to become significantly more accurate and efficient.
During clinical validation, the AI system was tested across digital slides from multiple cancer types, including breast, colon, gastric, and esophageal cancers. Remarkably, it identified single-cell and micrometastases that had been overlooked in manual reviews. These findings were later confirmed through immunohistochemistry, reinforcing the tool’s reliability.
Reflecting on the partnership, Bruno Occhipinti, CEO of Qritive Pte. Ltd., noted:
“We had the privilege of working with Dr. Lal PathLabs on a study that culminated in an abstract presented at USCAP 2025 in Boston. After extensive testing and workflow validation, we are thrilled to see this solution go live. The integration of our AI-powered diagnostic platform promises to deliver substantial efficiency gains and higher accuracy in high-volume diagnostic settings, strengthening Lal PathLabs’ leadership in healthcare innovation.”
With cancer incidence steadily increasing in India, the adoption of AI-powered diagnostic tools like QiAI Lymph Node Dx is poised to transform the country’s approach to cancer detection, offering clinicians powerful support in improving patient outcomes.