Techcyte Fusion AP Review: AI-Guided Macrodissection for NGS

Selecting the right tissue for next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a critical step in molecular pathology, yet it remains a frequent source of delays and repeat testing. When the extracted sample contains too few tumor cells, the assay may fail or yield inconclusive results, wasting time and precious tissue. A new collaboration between Techcyte and Aignostics brings AI-powered precision to this process, offering a digital macrodissection workflow that guides pathologists and histotechnicians from slide review to tissue scraping with clarity and confidence.

Techcyte’s Fusion AP enterprise digital pathology platform now integrates Aignostics’ HETA Tumor Cellularity product, part of the HETA Clinical family. The combination transforms how pathology teams evaluate tumor cellularity, identify candidate regions, and communicate selection boundaries to lab staff. For labs that handle NGS preparation daily, this workflow promises to reduce guesswork, standardize tissue selection, and improve the success rate of downstream molecular tests.

What Is the Techcyte Fusion AP and Aignostics HETA Tumor Cellularity Workflow?

This workflow is an AI-assisted digital solution for macrodissection—the process of scraping a specific area from a tissue section for molecular analysis. It runs inside Techcyte Fusion AP, a unified digital pathology platform that already supports AI tools, image management, and laboratory information system integration. With the addition of HETA Tumor Cellularity, pathologists can view a digital H&E slide overlaid with cell classification and tissue segmentation that identifies tumor-rich regions automatically.

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Pathologists interact with these overlays in real time, adjusting tumor cellularity thresholds and fine-tuning the scraping boundaries to meet the requirements of the intended sequencing assay. As they modify the selection, the platform recalculates key metrics such as estimated tumor cellularity, scrapable surface area, tumor cell count, and total cell count. Once the region is confirmed, a slide-sized view appears on the monitor, serving as a visual guide for histotechnicians to align the corresponding unstained physical slide and perform the scraping with precision.

What Stands Out

Seamless Integration into Existing Workflows

The combined solution does not require pathologists to learn a separate system. They remain inside Fusion AP, where they already review digital slides and manage cases. The HETA Tumor Cellularity overlay appears as part of the standard review interface, making adoption straightforward for labs already using digital pathology.

Real-Time, Actionable Metrics

Instead of relying on subjective estimation, the workflow provides live data on tumor cellularity and cell counts. Pathologists can see exactly how much tumor is present in a candidate region and adjust boundaries to meet assay-specific thresholds. This data-driven approach reduces variability between reviewers and improves consistency.

Clear Visual Guidance for Histotechnicians

The slide-sized view that appears after region confirmation is a standout feature. It gives histotechnicians a direct, scaled reference for aligning the unstained slide, effectively bridging the gap between digital analysis and physical tissue handling. This visual aid minimizes interpretation errors and speeds up the scraping process.

Focus on Reducing Repeat Testing

The collaboration specifically targets a common pain point: failed or repeated molecular tests due to inadequate tumor content. By helping teams select the most appropriate tissue the first time, the workflow has the potential to save time, reduce costs, and conserve limited biopsy material.

Who It’s For

This workflow is designed for clinical pathology labs that perform NGS testing on solid tumors, especially those handling high volumes or complex cases. Pathologists who need a quantitative, reproducible method for assessing tumor cellularity will find the AI guidance particularly valuable. Histotechnicians responsible for macrodissection will appreciate the visual instructions that reduce ambiguity. The solution is also relevant for biopharma research labs that require precise tissue selection for companion diagnostics or clinical trials. However, in the United States it is currently labeled for Research Use Only and not for diagnostic use.

What Makes It Worth Considering

The marriage of AI with a proven digital pathology platform addresses a real bottleneck in precision medicine. Many molecular tests still rely on pathologists manually circling areas on a glass slide, a practice that can lead to inconsistency across cases and reviewers. Techcyte and Aignostics replace that subjective step with quantified, AI-driven recommendations that pathologists can still adjust and override as needed. This respects the pathologist’s expertise while adding a layer of analytical support.

Another compelling aspect is the handoff between pathologist and histotechnician. Even when the digital review is accurate, misalignment during physical scraping can introduce errors. The slide-sized view on the monitor provides a direct visual reference, essentially acting as a digital stencil. This attention to the practical execution of macrodissection suggests that both companies understand the full workflow, not just the image analysis component.

For labs already using or planning to adopt Techcyte Fusion AP, the addition of HETA Tumor Cellularity extends the platform’s utility without requiring a separate vendor relationship. And for labs evaluating AI tools for pathology, this collaboration demonstrates how AI can move beyond classification to directly influence sample preparation and downstream testing outcomes.

Verdict

AI-guided macrodissection from Techcyte and Aignostics streamlines NGS tissue selection, reducing repeat tests and improving lab efficiency.