---
title: "Cerba Research case study: utilizing AI in Ki-67 quantification in solid tumors"
description: In this study, the results of Ki-67 scoring performed with Aiforia® Platform were compared against three independent pathologists on various solid tumors.
---

[Insights and resources for AI in pathology ](https://www.aiforia.com/resource-library)

# [Cerba Research case study: utilizing AI in Ki-67 quantification in solid tumors](https://www.aiforia.com/resource-library/cerba-research-case-study-evidence-for-the-utility-of-ai-in-ki67-quantification-in-solid-tumors)

 Written by [Aiforia](https://www.aiforia.com/resource-library/author/aiforia) | Mar 5, 2024 7:42:42 AM

## Why Ki-67?

Although it is an important biomarker in oncology (mostly in breast and prostate), Ki-67 immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis has yet to be standardized. Working groups have provided guidelines for Ki-67 scoring in different cancer types to limit pathologist’s variability.¹,²

Rapid and robust AI solutions to assist scoring have recently emerged in evaluating Ki-67. In this study, the results of Ki-67 scoring performed with [the Aiforia® Platform](https://www.aiforia.com/aiforia-research-solutions) (deep learning AI platform) were compared against three independent pathologists on various solid tumors.

## The workflow

Cerba Research stained 192 tumors of various origins, including breast and prostate, with the CONFIRM anti-Ki-67 clone (30-9) (ROCHE monoclonal primary antibody (IVD)) on the Ventana Benchmark Ultra. Three pathologists were appropriately trained following the International Ki-67 Working Group (IKWG) recommendations and scored tissues accordingly.³

 

## Key takeaway

Out of 192 cores, only 158 were analyzed due to the absence of tissue and/or pathologists' inability to score. Depending on the analysis approach applied, Ki-67+ cells were detected in 24.38 - 28.71% of the tumor cells. The study shows a very high consistency of results obtained for Ki-67 scoring between the two image analysis software (r2=0.95) on solid tumors analyzed (n=158). However, the correlation obtained between the pathologists was weaker (mean r2=0.83), despite appropriate training and following guidelines, but remains within an acceptable range.

## AI data quality and speed of execution

Rania Gaspo, Global Therapy Area Lead from Cerba Research, comments on the results: “In a nutshell, this work shows that recent AI-based image analysis tools, such as the Aiforia® Platform, provide valuable assistance in the field of image analysis and allowed us to drastically reduce inter-pathologist variability in the Ki-67 scoring of solid tumors. We were also positively surprised with the speed of execution of the Aiforia® Platform, which was able to process regions of interest for all cores in just 2 minutes, saving us a lot of time and effort.”

Read more on the ESMO 2023 poster: “[Pichon X, Gaspo R, Iglesias S, Kumar D, Tliba M, Burrer R, Finan A. Evidence for the utility of artificial intelligence (AI) and image analysis in Ki-67 quantification in solid tumors. Presented at: ESMO annual meeting; October 20-24, 2023; Madrid, Spain](https://www.aiforia.com/hubfs/Website%20Assets/Resources/Posters/2329P%20Evidence%20for%20the%20utility%20of%20artificial%20intelligence%20(AI)%20and%20image%20analysis%20in%20Ki67%20quantification%20in%20solid%20tumors_Pichon%20X%2c%20Gaspo%20R%2c%20Iglesias%20S%2c%20et%20al_2023.pdf)”.

 

References

1. Polley, M. et al. (2015, June). An international study to increase concordance in Ki-67 scoring. *Mod Pathol., 28*(6), 778-786. doi: [https://doi.org/10.1038/modpathol.2015.38](https://doi.org/10.1038/modpathol.2015.38) 

2. Nielsen, T. et al. (2021, July 1). Assessment of Ki-67 in Breast Cancer: Updated Recommendations From the International Ki-67 in Breast Cancer Working Group. J Natl Cancer Inst., 113(7), 808-819. [https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djaa201](https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djaa201) 

3. Welcome to Ki-67-QC calibrator. URL [http://www.gpec.ubc.ca:8080/tmadb-0.1/calibrator/index](http://www.gpec.ubc.ca:8080/tmadb-0.1/calibrator/index) 

 

[View full post](https://www.aiforia.com/resource-library/cerba-research-case-study-evidence-for-the-utility-of-ai-in-ki67-quantification-in-solid-tumors)

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