UAE laboratory introduces AI-powered prostate cancer diagnostics
The initiative supports wider use of digital pathology and AI across oncology diagnostics in the UAE.
M42’s National Reference Laboratory has introduced an AI-powered tool for prostate cancer diagnostics in the UAE in partnership with digital pathology company Qritive. The platform will be integrated into the laboratory’s diagnostic workflow at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
The system analyses digital pathology slides, highlights suspicious findings and provides structured insights to help pathologists detect prostate cancer and assess disease severity. It is designed to identify cancerous tissue, assess tumour patterns, support grading according to internationally recognised standards and measure tumour burden.
M42 said the technology is intended to assist medical professionals rather than replace them, with final clinical decisions remaining the responsibility of physicians. The company said AI can help pathologists make complex decisions more efficiently, reduce interpretation variation, and support better patient outcomes.
NRL said the platform could help healthcare providers manage growing diagnostic demand while giving patients and clinicians faster access to critical information. Prostate cancer remains a growing health concern in the Middle East, with officials citing an estimated 50,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
The introduction of the platform forms part of NRL’s wider strategy to strengthen oncology services and expand the use of digital pathology and AI-enabled diagnostics. Officials said the initiative supports the UAE’s broader objectives of advancing healthcare innovation, improving patient outcomes and building a more data-driven health system under UAE Vision 2031.
Why does it matter?
AI-assisted diagnostics are increasingly being adopted to help healthcare professionals manage growing workloads, improve consistency in clinical assessments and accelerate access to diagnostic results. In pathology, AI tools can help identify patterns in medical images and support decision-making, particularly in areas where demand for specialist expertise is rising.
The deployment also reflects the UAE’s broader strategy of integrating AI into healthcare services as part of its digital transformation agenda. As healthcare systems seek to improve efficiency and patient outcomes, AI-enabled diagnostics are becoming an increasingly important component of modern medical practice.
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