Journal Article DKFZ-2026-01637

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A deep learning framework for efficient pathology image analysis.

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2026
Springer Nature [London]

Nature Communications 17(1), 5740 () [10.1038/s41467-026-74918-9]
 GO

Abstract: Artificial intelligence has transformed digital pathology by enabling biomarker prediction from high-resolution whole-slide images. However, current methods are computationally inefficient, processing thousands of redundant tiles per slide and requiring complex aggregation models. We introduce EAGLE (Efficient Approach for Guided Local Examination), a deep learning framework that emulates pathologists by selectively analyzing informative regions. EAGLE combines task-agnostic tile selection with detailed feature extraction and is benchmarked against leading slide- and tile-level foundation models across 43 tasks from nine cancer types spanning morphology, biomarker prediction, treatment response and prognosis. EAGLE outperforms patch aggregation methods by up to 23% and achieves the highest overall classification performance. It processes one slide in 2.27 s, reducing computational time by more than 99% compared with existing models. This efficiency supports rapid and auditable workflows by enabling review of the exact tiles used for each prediction and reducing dependence on high-performance computing. By reliably identifying informative regions and minimizing artifacts, EAGLE provides robust and auditable outputs, supported by systematic negative controls and attention concentration analyses. Its unified embedding enables rapid slide search, integration into multi-omics pipelines and emerging clinical foundation models.

Keyword(s): Deep Learning (MeSH) ; Humans (MeSH) ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted: methods (MeSH) ; Neoplasms: pathology (MeSH) ; Neoplasms: diagnostic imaging (MeSH)

Classification:

Contributing Institute(s):
  1. Klinische Epidemiologie der Krebsfrüherkennung (C070)
  2. DKTK HD zentral (HD01)
Research Program(s):
  1. 313 - Krebsrisikofaktoren und Prävention (POF4-313) (POF4-313)

Appears in the scientific report 2026
Database coverage:
Medline ; DOAJ ; Article Processing Charges ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DOAJ Seal ; Essential Science Indicators ; Fees ; IF >= 15 ; JCR ; PubMed Central ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection ; Zoological Record
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 Record created 2026-07-02, last modified 2026-07-03



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