In a pioneering move set to transform cancer diagnostics in India, Dr. Lal PathLabs (DLPL) has become the first laboratory in the country to adopt a deep learning-based AI module to detect lymph node metastasis, including micrometastasis, in cancer cases.

This cutting-edge technology, validated in collaboration with Qritive, was showcased at USCAP 2025 one of the world's leading pathology conferences.

Accurate identification of cancer spread to lymph nodes is vital in determining the stage and treatment path for patients. If the spread of cancer to the lymph nodes is left undetected, it can allow the disease to progress to later stages, increasing the risk of metastasis to distant organs and significantly reducing survival rates. Therefore, the identification of occult metastases in patients with early-stage cancer could have a substantial clinical impact on treatment planning and optimal therapy for patients with cancer.

Detecting micrometastases-tiny clusters of cancer cells in lymph nodes-usually takes a lot of time and special tests. The AI tool QiAI Lymph Node Dx changes that by using deep learning to quickly and accurately spot cancer cells on digital slides. Adding this technology to regular medical practice makes diagnosing cancer faster and more reliable.

"At Dr. Lal PathLabs, we are proud to lead the way in bringing AI-powered diagnostics to India," said Mr. Shankha Banerjee, CEO, Dr. Lal PathLabs. "This advanced technology allows us to identify cancer spread with exceptional precision and speed - particularly micrometastasis that may be missed by the human eye. By integrating AI into our pathology workflow, we are not only enhancing diagnostic accuracy but also enabling quicker clinical decisions, which can significantly improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients."

The AI system was tested on digital slides from breast, colon, stomach, and esophageal cancer cases. It accurately detected single-cell and micrometastases that had been missed during manual reviews. These results were later validated through immunohistochemistry (IHC), confirming the system's reliability.

"The role of a pathologist is evolving rapidly, and we must evolve with it. Introducing AI into our diagnostic workflow is not just about adopting technology - it's about reimagining how we detect and respond to disease," said Dr. Vandana Lal, Executive Director, Dr Lal PathLabs. "This advancement strengthens our ability to identify even the most elusive signs of cancer, like micrometastasis, with greater speed and certainty. It's a significant leap forward in how we serve our clinicians and patients, and a proud moment in our commitment to driving precision diagnostics in India.

Commenting on the development, Bruno Occhipinti, CEO, Qritive Pte. Ltd. said: "We previously got the opportunity to collaborate with the team at Dr Lal PathLabs on a study, which resulted in the abstract presented at USCAP'25 in Boston. Following extensive testing and workflow validation, we are now excited to go live and enable the transformative impact of our AI-powered solution on critical diagnoses. This has the potential to unlock massive efficiency and accuracy gains in large volume settings, further enhancing Lal PathLabs' excellence in its operations."