NEWS
Accelerating AI- driven precision oncology
Precision medicine firm Sophia Genetics and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have announced a strategic collaboration that unites Sophia’s AI-powered analytics with MD Anderson’s clinical and scientific expertise. The new partnership will aim to accelerate data-driven cancer care through new tools that can accurately analyse, interpret and translate diagnostic results into clinical practice.
As part of the collaboration, MD
Anderson and Sophia Genetics are launching a series of research and development programmes and co- developing an advanced next-generation sequencing oncology test. Built on the advanced AI algorithms of the Sophia DDM Platform, the new co-developed test aims to translate complex multimodal data into actionable insights with greater speed and scale. MD Anderson researchers will tap Sophia Genetics’ AI technologies to create bioinformatics pipelines that enable clinicians to rapidly interpret complex RNA-sequencing data to guide diagnosis and treatment for patients with cancer. Donna Hansel MD PhD, Division Head
of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at MD Anderson, said: “Cancer research has evolved rapidly, and we have more health data available than ever before. Our collaboration with Sophia Genetics reflects how our laboratory is evolving and integrating advanced analytics and AI to beter interpret complex molecular information. This collaboration will expand our ability to translate high- dimensional data into insights that can meaningfully advance research and precision oncology.” In addition, MD Anderson and Sophia Genetics will jointly launch a series of research and development programs to explore new ways to characterise tumour evolution in real time, to strengthen the reliability and reproducibility of complex genomic testing, and to enhance the ability to identify optimal clinical trials or research avenues for individual patients. The collaborative work at MD Anderson will be led by Shashikant Kulkarni PhD, Deputy Division Head for Molecular Pathology, and J Bryan MD, Assistant Professor, both in the Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
AI-automated cervical cancer diagnostics
Noul Co, a company specialising in AI- powered blood and cancer diagnostics, recently showcased its AI-based cervical cancer diagnostic solution, miLab CER at the technology event CES 2026. During CES 2026 held in Las Vegas, Noul demonstrated miLab CER and its automated, AI-powered diagnostic technologies. As interest continues to grow in AI technologies that address real- world healthcare challenges, miLab CER showed how cervical cancer diagnostics - traditionally dependent on skilled personnel and centralised infrastructure - can be automated to reduce structural barriers and expand access in diverse clinical setings. The company aims to address the persistent lack of access to cervical cancer screening faced by women worldwide due to healthcare infrastructure limitations. Cervical cancer is one of the most
preventable and treatable cancers when detected early, yet it remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women; in response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has set a key target to increase global cervical cancer screening coverage to 70% by 2030. Noul’s miLab CER automates the overall
cervical cancer diagnostic process in 20 minutes, covering key steps from cervical-
cell slide staining and digital imaging, to AI-based analysis and report generation, all within a single compact device. By automating what traditionally required approximately 25 manual staining and preparation steps, miLab CER enables fast, consistent, and high-quality diagnostics even in resource-limited setings. Designed with sustainability in mind,
it incorporates the world’s first NGSI (next generation staining and immunostaining) solid-staining technology, eliminating the use of methanol, minimising reagent consumption, and generating virtually no wastewater, all while maintaining high diagnostic performance. In performance evaluations, miLab CER demonstrated 93.9% sensitivity and 97.8% specificity (ASCUS+ criteria), achieving diagnostic accuracy comparable to conventional expert-led pathology assessments.
Study examines novel polio vaccine
A new study has confirmed the novel vaccine being used in global efforts to achieve and sustain polio eradication is successfully interrupting polio outbreaks whilst minimising risk of new vaccine- derived outbreaks in Uganda. Scientists at the Medicines and
Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have jointly led an international study, published in Nature Microbiology, examining the genetic stability of the novel live-atenuated oral poliovirus type 2 vaccine (nOPV2) used in global polio eradication efforts. The research - conducted in
partnership with institutions across Uganda, the United Kingdom, Israel, France, the Netherlands, the United States, and the World Health Organization (WHO) – provides important insights into how the vaccine evolves following administration and demonstrates its enhanced stability compared to previous oral polio vaccines.
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WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM February 2026
The novel vaccine nOPV2 was designed in large part by scientists at the MHRA. The study analysed 231 poliovirus type
2 isolates collected from stool and sewage samples in Uganda between January 2022 and March 2023, following nOPV2 vaccination campaigns. Researchers found that nOPV2 demonstrates higher genetic stability than the previously used Sabin oral polio vaccine, with genetic modifications in the vaccine responsible for atenuation.
The findings underscore the reduced
risk of reversion to dangerous forms with nOPV2 compared to previous oral polio vaccines. Tushabe P, Majumdar M, Carlyle S, et al. Higher stability of novel live-atenuated oral poliovirus type 2 (nOPV2) despite the emergence of a neurovirulent double recombinant strain in Uganda. Nat Microbiol (2026). Published online 19 January. doi:10.1038/s41564-025-02219-w
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