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Machine learning methods for histopathological image analysis: updates in 2024

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Komura, Daisuke, Ochi, Mieko, Ishikawa, Shumpei·2025·Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal

Abstract

The combination of artificial intelligence and digital pathology has emerged as a transformative force in healthcare and biomedical research. As an update to our 2018 review, this review presents comprehensive analysis of machine learning applications in histopathological image analysis, with focus on the developments since 2018. We highlight significant advances that have expanded the technical capabilities and practical applications of computational pathology. The review examines progress in addressing key challenges in the field as follows: processing of gigapixel whole slide images, insufficient labeled data, multidimensional analysis, domain shifts across institutions, and interpretability of machine learning models. We evaluate emerging trends, such as foundation models and multimodal integration, that are reshaping the field. Overall, our review highlights the potential of machine learning in enhancing both routine pathological analysis and scientific discovery in pathology. By providing this comprehensive overview, this review aims to guide researchers and clinicians in understanding the current state of the pathology image analysis field and its future trajectory.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.12.033

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  • Histopathology imaging is considered the gold standard in most clinical settings because it provides high-resolution views of tissue, including detailed cellular morphology.

    “Moreover, in most clinical settings, histopathology imaging is considered the “gold standard”, as it provides high-resolution views of tissue, including detailed cellular morphology [36].”

    From Challenges in AI-driven Biomedical Multimodal Data Fusion and Analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [36]

    The 'Very large image size' section (page not available) says pathologists use higher magnification to identify fine-grained structures and examine cell morphology for diagnosis. This supports the claim that histopathology images reveal cellular detail, but the paper does not describe histopathology imaging as the gold standard in most clinical settings or attribute that status to its resolution. (LLM, conf=0.83)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Research works printed but not linked: 16

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Sorted by citations

Authors
Komura, D., Ochi, M., & Ishikawa, S.
Affiliations
The University of Tokyo (JP)
Corresponding author
Ishikawa, Shumpei
Venue
Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
Published
2025-01-01
Volume
27
Pages
383-400
ISSN
2001-0370 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4405910210
Cited by
76
References
223
Citations by year
2026: 57 · 2025: 19
FWCI
2.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (21H03836)
  • Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (JP 24ck0106873, JP 24ck0106904)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › AI in cancer detection
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Radiomics and Machine Learning in Medical Imaging
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Health Informatics › Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education
Keywords
histopathology image analysis, digital pathology, computational pathology, whole slide images, limited labeled data, model interpretability, foundation models, multimodal integration

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