N. N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology (Saint Petersburg, Russia); 3DHistech, a developer and manufacturer of digital microscopy systems (Hungary); and OPTEC, the representative of 3DHistech in Russia, signed a tripartite cooperation agreement. The document was signed by Dr. Alexey Belyaev, Director of N. N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology; Dr. Béla Molnár, CEO of 3DHistech; and Maxim Igelnik, General Manager of OPTEC in Russia and CIS.
The Research Institute of Oncology, 3DHistech and OPTEC confirmed their desire for cooperation, technology partnership in digital pathology, collaboration on training and continuous education of pathologists at the premises of the Institute. The parties emphasized the importance of implementing the digital technology into the practice of pathologists and popularizing advanced methods of digital microscopy. The agreement also provides for the creation of a joint advisory center for digital microscopy and teleconsultations. Today, N. N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology has a state-of-the-art technological base and the expertise needed for the full-fledged operation of such a center.
In recent years, the Pathoanatomic Laboratory of N. N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology has undergone significant modernization, strengthened its line of histological material preparation, and installed the latest model of Pannoramic Flash III, a digital microscope from 3DHistech, to automatically scan a large volume of histological preparations.
The use of a digital scanner for microscope slides opens wide opportunities for a pathomorphology laboratory and helps to maintain a digital archive of preparations, provide remote consultations and remotely obtain a «second opinion» when establishing a diagnosis, provide online training to pathologists, automate morphometric studies, and much more. The key purpose of implementing the digital technology is to ensure the objectivity of morphological study and eliminate errors in the diagnosis while saving time and resources.
«Oncology is characterized by a multidisciplinary approach and patomorphology holds a central place in it. Therefore, the development of pathomorphology, creation of a reference center based on advanced technology, sharing experience and knowledge in this area are the key strategic objectives of the Institute," said professor Alexey Belyaev, Doctor of Medical Sciences and Director of N. N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology.
«3DHistech was established in Budapest University 20 years ago and, today, our digital microscopy, remote consultation and training systems are used all over the world. We maintain a strategy of cooperation with leading international research institutions and universities. I am confident that the work with N. N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology will contribute significantly to the development of advanced technologies in clinical pathology and strengthen our community," said Dr. Béla Molnár, CEO of 3DHistech.
«The collaboration between OPTEC and N. N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology has a good history that began several years ago. In addition to its outstanding research, the institute is actively involved in educational activities. Our common goal is to ensure the most rapid implementation of the world’s best digital microscopy technology in the daily practice of pathologists and provide training to young professionals at a high technological level," said Maxim Igelnik, General Manager of OPTEC.
The Institute has also mastered and is actively using advanced technology for automatic preparation of tissue microarrays with TMA Grand Master, a system from 3DHistech. It allows the immediate placement and automatic processing of more than 400 samples on a single slide, which saves time, tissue samples, reagents and microscope slides, including in complex studies.
N. N. Petrov Research Institute of Oncology is one of the largest specialized diagnostic and treatment centers in Russia, a leading oncology research institution in the Russian Northwestern Federal District. In 1928, the Pathoanatomic Laboratory of the Institute established an archive of histologic materials, a unique biobank for scientific research in oncology, which today stores more than 10 million items. In 2015, the Pathoanatomic Laboratory of the Research Institute performed histological studies for 17.5 thousand patients from all regions of the Russian Federation, including 5 thousand patients who contacted the Pathoanatomic Department of the Institute for repeated consultation on histological preparations made at other institutions.
