The global healthcare landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by rapid advancements in AI and diagnostic technologies. While these innovations hold immense promise for improving patient care, their benefits are not yet equally distributed. Emerging markets in particular face significant challenges in accessing and implementing these modern tools, hindering their ability to provide timely and accurate diagnoses, personalized treatments, and optimal patient outcomes. This disparity underscores the urgent need to bridge this diagnostic divide and empower emerging markets with the tools and resources necessary to deliver higher quality healthcare.
Many academic centers and corporations donate pathology support services, recognizing the critical need for medical expertise in underserved regions. In 2020 alone, Americans donated an estimated $38 billion to $55 billion to healthcare charities, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving global health. Many diagnostic labs also contribute by writing off millions of dollars annually for tests that go unpaid, further underscoring the healthcare industry's dedication to providing essential services to those in need.
GoPath, the parent company of DigitCells, has been actively working to address this challenge for over 12 years. They have provided thousands of hours of donated pathologist time, assisting with complex cases, and providing valuable second opinions to healthcare providers globally. This includes partnering with hospitals across the United States and internationally to improve cancer diagnosis and supporting multiple organizations in their efforts to fight cancer.
While these charitable efforts are vital, we recognize that sustainable change requires more than just donations of time and money. It requires empowering local laboratories in emerging markets with the tools and resources they need to provide high-quality diagnostic services independently. That is why we are committed to developing innovative solutions like our hybrid pathology service models, tissue optimization system, and diagnostic pathologist network.
Walking the Walk: GoPath and DigitCells in Action
Our commitment goes beyond simply "talking the talk." Since 2017, we have collectively worked with hospitals across the US and in Africa, India, Eastern Europe, China, Haiti, and Myanmar, establishing digital pathology labs that have demonstrated remarkable resilience and a significantly higher success rate than many other digital pathology ventures in these emerging markets. This success stems from a comprehensive approach that combines leading technology with a deeper understanding of local needs and infrastructure constraints.
DigitCells is advancing the field of diagnostics by integrating analog, digital, and molecular pathology to deliver exceptional patient care to hospitals both in the US and internationally. By providing innovative pathology service models, we empower these hospitals to enhance their diagnostic capabilities and offer comprehensive, personalized treatment to their patients.
Expanding Diagnostic Capability
Beyond digital pathology, integrating immunostaining and molecular testing into diagnostic capabilities is crucial for providing comprehensive and personalized patient care. Immunostaining allows for the precise identification of specific proteins within tissue samples, aiding in the diagnosis and classification of various diseases. Molecular testing provides the genetic and molecular makeup of diseases, providing information for personalized treatment selection, prognosis, and disease monitoring. By combining these advanced techniques, laboratories in emerging markets can offer a wider range of diagnostic services, empowering healthcare providers to make more informed treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.
Addressing the Pathology Gap
The scarcity of pathologists in many emerging markets poses a significant barrier to effective cancer care. With low and middle income countries bearing over 60% of the global cancer burden, the lack of adequate pathology services hinders accurate diagnosis, timely treatment, and ultimately, survival rates. Furthermore, a lack of awareness among clinicians regarding the critical role of pathology in cancer management further compounds this challenge. To address this gap, a comprehensive strategy is required:
- Invest in essential diagnostic infrastructure: Prioritize investment in digital pathology systems, immunohistochemistry equipment, and molecular testing platforms. This requires a collaborative effort between governments, international organizations, and private sector partners to ensure sustainable funding and resource allocation.
- Empower local pathologists: Strengthen local expertise through comprehensive training programs, knowledge sharing initiatives, and opportunities for continuing education. Foster collaboration between local pathologists and international experts to promote knowledge transfer and build capabilities together.
- Embrace digital solutions: Leverage digital pathology and telepathology to overcome geographical barriers and connect patients in underserved areas with specialist expertise. Implement robust digital platforms that facilitate remote consultations, rapid diagnoses, and timely treatment decisions.
- Promote precision medicine: Integrate molecular diagnostics into cancer care to enable personalized treatment strategies. Utilize genetic and molecular information to guide treatment selection, predict response, and monitor disease progression, leading to improved patient outcomes.
The Transformative Power of Precision Medicine: Amina's Story
To truly grasp the impact of bridging the diagnostic divide, consider the story of Amina, a 32-year-old woman living in Antalya, Turkey. Amina has a family history of breast cancer, a disease that disproportionately affects women in emerging markets due to limited access to early detection and treatment. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death and the most common cancer in women in Turkey. In the past, Amina's options would have been limited. Regular mammograms and genetic testing might be unavailable or prohibitively expensive. If she were to develop a suspicious lump, diagnosis could be delayed, and treatment options might be restricted due to a lack of specialized pathology services.
But imagine a different scenario, one where Amina has access to the transformative power of precision medicine. Affordable molecular testing allows her to assess her genetic risk for breast cancer, identifying specific mutations that increase her susceptibility. If a biopsy is needed, digital pathology enables rapid and accurate analysis by subspecialized pathologists, regardless of their location. This not only speeds up diagnosis but also ensures that Amina receives the most appropriate information based on her unique genetic profile and tumor characteristics. Armed with this knowledge, Amina can also take proactive steps, such as lifestyle changes, prophylactic procedures, and increased screening, to further reduce her risk.
Amina's story is not unique to Turkey. It resonates across emerging markets where access to advanced diagnostics and personalized medicine can be the difference between a delayed diagnosis with limited treatment options and a timely intervention with a personalized treatment plan that optimizes chances of recovery. By moving beyond this divide and empowering healthcare providers with the tools and resources necessary for precision medicine, we can transform the lives of countless individuals like Amina, offering hope and a better chance at a healthier future.
Strategic partnerships between local laboratories and companies like DigitCells and GoPath can bring this real change to current healthcare models and accelerate progress in emerging markets. These partnerships offer access to updated technology, phased implementation strategies, reduced upfront investment, and ongoing support, facilitating a smooth transition to advanced diagnostic services.
Emerging Markets in the United States
While our mission extends to improving healthcare access globally, it is crucial to acknowledge the disparities that exist within our own borders. In the United States, "emerging markets" take on a different form, encompassing regions and populations that lack adequate access to advanced diagnostic tools. These include rural communities grappling with healthcare provider shortages, underserved urban areas facing socioeconomic barriers, and specific demographics such as individuals experiencing homelessness or those with disabilities who often encounter systemic obstacles to care.
Bringing the power of digital, anatomic and molecular testing to these domestic emerging markets also holds immense potential. By enabling early disease detection in these underserved populations, just like anywhere else, we can facilitate timely interventions, improve treatment outcomes, and contribute to reducing long-term healthcare costs. This focus on health equity strengthens our broader mission to democratize healthcare access worldwide, ensuring that the benefits of diagnostic technology reach those who need them most, regardless of their location or circumstance.
The Hybrid Service Model
GoPath and DigitCells have pioneered a hybrid approach that seamlessly blends digital and molecular pathology consultations with traditional laboratory testing. This flexible model empowers hospitals and labs to enhance their diagnostic capabilities by adopting a phased approach. This strategy allows for a smooth, lower cost transition to advanced testing capability while simultaneously generating valuable data.
Leveraging digital pathology, this service allows the hospital to scan biopsy slides and upload them to our secure platform. These high-resolution digital images, known as Whole Slide Images (WSIs), are then assigned to our network of subspecialized pathologists. Our experts review the WSIs in conjunction with the patient's clinical information and supporting AI insights, to provide a comprehensive consultation, including a detailed anatomic pathology report.
Following the initial digital consultation, our pathologists may require additional information to arrive at a definitive diagnosis or recommend the most effective plan. This is where the "hybrid" approach comes into play. We may request:
- Immunostaining: You send us unstained slides or paraffin blocks, and our laboratory performs the necessary immunohistochemical stains to identify specific proteins within the tissue. This aids in classifying tumors, predicting prognosis, and guiding treatment decisions.
- Molecular Testing: You send us patient samples (e.g., blood, saliva, tissue) for molecular analysis. This allows us to identify genetic mutations and other molecular markers that can inform personalized treatment strategies, predict response to therapy, and monitor disease progression.
By combining the quantified insights gained from digital pathology, AI, immunostaining, and molecular testing, we generate a single, comprehensive report that provides a holistic view of the patient's condition. This integrated approach ensures that healthcare providers have all the necessary information to make informed decisions and deliver the best possible care.
This hybrid service model offers clear advantages:
- Access to Subspecialty Expertise: Connects healthcare providers with a global network of subspecialized pathologists, regardless of location.
- Faster Turnaround Times: Digital pathology facilitates rapid consultations and streamlines the diagnostic process.
- Enhanced Diagnostic Accuracy: Quantified data provides a more complete understanding of the disease.
- Personalized Medicine: Molecular testing enables tailored strategies based on the patient's unique genetic and molecular profile.
- Improved Decision Making: Provides key performance metrics, paving the way for a successful integration of advanced molecular testing within their own facilities.
A Call to Action
Overcoming the divide in emerging markets requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders. Governments, international organizations, private sector partners, and healthcare providers must work together to invest in essential infrastructure, empower local expertise, and embrace innovative solutions. By prioritizing these key elements, we can pave the way for a future where all patients, regardless of their geographical location, have access to timely, accurate, and life-saving diagnostics.
Key Steps for Success:
To summarize, the following steps are crucial for the successful implementation of precision medicine in an emerging market:
1. Form strategic partnerships: Collaborate with companies like DigitCells and GoPath to access expertise, technology, and support.
2. Foster collaborative partnerships: Engage local pathologists, address data concerns, and share benefits.
3. Secure financial sustainability: Leverage public-private partnerships, negotiate with suppliers, and explore local production.
4. Ensure long-term support: Establish a Center of Excellence, train local technicians, and provide responsive remote support.
By embracing these strategies, emerging markets and developing countries can harness the power of precision medicine and digital pathology to improve healthcare outcomes, reduce health disparities, and contribute to the region’s economic growth.
Author
Scott Kilcoyne
DigitCells Cofounder & COO
Scott Kilcoyne
DigitCells Cofounder & COO