Willeke Blokx

UMC Utrecht

In short, Willeke Blokxs' research entails the following: 

Artificial intelligence to improve classification and prognostication of ambiguous melanocytic lesions

Ambiguous melanocytic lesions are rare and difficult to classify without molecular test as either benign (nevus), intermediate, or malignant (melanoma), with important clinical implications. However, these tests are only available in highly specialized centers, are expensive and have long turn-around times, and are not feasible in case of insufficient tumor in a specimen. The UMCU Department of Pathology, the largest reference center for melanocytic tumors, combines unique diagnostic expertise and sophisticated molecular tests within this field (dr. Willeke Blokx, dr. Anne Jansen, Prof. Marijke van Dijk, dr. Gerben Breimer). The imaging group of TU Eindhoven (dr. Mitko Veta, prof. Josien Pluim) has ample experience in developing and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in pathology practice.
For the validation part of the study there is a collaboration with the Department of Pathology of the LUMC (dr. Anne Roos Schrader).
Together, we aim to develop AI models to accurately classify ambiguous melanocytic lesions without the need for molecular testing.