UAE's new AI tool could make prostate cancer diagnosis faster, more precise: Experts

SADEQ ALKHOORI (ABU DHABI)

Waiting for biopsy results could be among the most anxious moments in a cancer journey. But with all that AI makes possible, specialists in the UAE say emerging tech could help make that wait shorter and the answers more reliable, while keeping the final medical judgement in the hands of doctors.

The remarks follow the introduction of AI-powered cancer diagnostics in the country by M42's National Reference Laboratory (NRL), in collaboration with digital pathology company Qritive.

The system uses Qritive's AI Prostate module to analyse tissue samples, highlight areas of concern, and support cancer detection and grading. The technology has been integrated into NRL's diagnostic workflow at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

This innovation adds "a new layer of digital intelligence" to the way prostate biopsy samples are reviewed, said Dr Shweta Narang, Executive Director of Medical and Commercial Operations at the NRL.

"With AI-supported pathology, digitised biopsy slides can be analysed by the tool to highlight areas that may require closer review, helping pathologists focus their expertise more efficiently," she told Aletihad.

She said prostate biopsy interpretation traditionally relies on specialist pathologists examining tissue under a microscope to identify whether cancer is present and how aggressive it may be.

The AI tool can help highlight suspicious regions, support the detection of malignant glands, assess tumour architecture, and provide structured insights during case review, she said.

It can also support grading by helping characterise patterns relevant to prostate cancer assessment, including Gleason patterns and grading aligned with internationally recognised ISUP criteria.

"This is particularly important because grading plays a major role in helping clinicians determine the most appropriate treatment pathway for each patient," Dr Narang said.

Why Grading Matters

Dr Basel Altrabulsi, Vice Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said AI-supported pathology has the potential to make prostate cancer diagnosis "more consistent, efficient and precise".

He said diagnosis currently depends heavily on expert pathologist review of biopsy samples, a highly skilled process that can show some variability, particularly in difficult-to-grade cases.

"AI can function as a second reader on biopsy slides, applying the same criteria consistently and helping support faster review of cases within clinical workflows," he said.

For prostate cancer, accuracy at diagnosis is critical because Gleason grading, staging and risk stratification directly influence treatment decisions.

"In prostate cancer, treatment is entirely dependent on how the disease is characterised at diagnosis," Dr Altrabulsi said.

He said these factors guide whether a patient is managed through active surveillance, surgery, radiotherapy, or systemic treatment.

From Diagnosis to Treatment

Dr Hassan Jafar, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Medical Director at Burjeel Cancer Institute, said accurate and timely diagnosis is "fundamental to delivering the right treatment to the right patient at the right time".

He said prostate cancer ranges from slower-growing tumours that may be safely managed with active surveillance to highly aggressive cancers requiring immediate intervention.

Treatment decisions rely heavily on precise pathological assessment, including tumour grade, disease extent, and other clinical and radiological factors, he said.

"Any improvement in diagnostic accuracy, consistency, or efficiency has the potential to significantly impact patient outcomes," Dr Jafar said.

Doctors said the patient impact is linked to both time and confidence.

Dr Narang said waiting for a cancer diagnosis is often one of the most stressful parts of the care journey, and a more efficient diagnostic process can help clinicians move faster from suspicion to clarity, and from diagnosis to treatment planning.

"For a patient waiting for biopsy results, this can be very meaningful," she said.

Doctors Remain Central

Specialists stressed that AI is being introduced as a support tool, with final judgement remaining with medical professionals.

"AI does not diagnose prostate cancer, clinicians do," Dr Altrabulsi said.
Dr Narang described AI in pathology as "a co-pilot for specialists, not a substitute for them".

She said AI outputs are reviewed and validated by pathologists within established diagnostic workflows, with quality oversight, clinical validation and specialist review.

Dr Jafar said patients should understand AI as a decision-support tool that can help clinicians deliver more precise, timely and personalised care.

"Clinical judgement, multidisciplinary discussion, and individualised patient care remain central to every treatment decision," he said.