Dr. Olga Kubassova

Artificial intelligence (AI) as a technology concept is making a major impact on a wide range of industries and sectors. This is largely attributed to technical advancements in machine and especially deep learning methodologies fueled by improved computational capabilities which have led to sophisticated approaches in applying AI to various scenarios. These AI applications aim to improve productivity, decrease cost, and comprehend the ever-increasing volumes of data available to ultimately… Show more

Artificial intelligence (AI) as a technology concept is making a major impact on a wide range of industries and sectors. This is largely attributed to technical advancements in machine and especially deep learning methodologies fueled by improved computational capabilities which have led to sophisticated approaches in applying AI to various scenarios. These AI applications aim to improve productivity, decrease cost, and comprehend the ever-increasing volumes of data available to ultimately provide actionable insights. Included in this paradigm shift is medicine, where AI is beginning to enable clinical assistance, decision support, improved management and accelerated scientific discovery and development. Show less

Vascular fibrosis is a key manifestation of systemic sclerosis that leads to the narrowing of small and medium arteries, causing vascular clinical manifestations including digital ulcers and pulmonary arterial hypertension. We investigated the potential of the MRI-based Digital Artery Volume Index (DAVIX) as a surrogate outcome measure of vascular fibrosis by using it to quantify and predict the burden of digital ulcer disease in patients with systemic sclerosis.

DAVIX is a promising… Show more

Vascular fibrosis is a key manifestation of systemic sclerosis that leads to the narrowing of small and medium arteries, causing vascular clinical manifestations including digital ulcers and pulmonary arterial hypertension. We investigated the potential of the MRI-based Digital Artery Volume Index (DAVIX) as a surrogate outcome measure of vascular fibrosis by using it to quantify and predict the burden of digital ulcer disease in patients with systemic sclerosis.

DAVIX is a promising surrogate outcome measure of digital ulcer disease in patients with systemic sclerosis. The ability of DAVIX to non-invasively predict future digital ulcers and worsening of patient-reported outcomes could aid patient enrichment and stratification in clinical trials. Clinically, DAVIX could offer insights into the assessment of vascular activity. The sensitivity of DAVIX to change over time and with treatment will establish its value as an imaging outcome measure of vascular disease. Show less

Use of AI in Gastrointerology, development of a novel tool

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is characterized by various patterns of inflammatory arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis, and spondylitis. Apremilast is an oral immunomodulating phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor that is indicated for treatment of PsA. Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) allows assessment of joints and entheses of the entire body in one examination when using the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trial (OMERACT) MRI whole-body scoring system for inflammation in peripheral… Show more

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is characterized by various patterns of inflammatory arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis, and spondylitis. Apremilast is an oral immunomodulating phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor that is indicated for treatment of PsA. Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) allows assessment of joints and entheses of the entire body in one examination when using the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trial (OMERACT) MRI whole-body scoring system for inflammation in peripheral joints and entheses (MRI-WIPE), which has not previously been applied in a clinical trial. Here we evaluate the efficacy of apremilast 30 mg BID (APR) on peripheral inflammation indices as measured by WB-MRI. Objectives To evaluate how APR affects inflammation in peripheral joints and entheses of patients with PsA as assessed by WB-MRI. Show less

ascular involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is known to start even before clinical diagnosis, driving digital ulcer (DU) disease. Later in the disease natural history, it can cause pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) among other manifestations. Despite the proven immune origin of scleroderma, vascular involvement is not currently targeted by immune driven interventions. Similarly, few data are available on immune or inflammatory biomarkers and outcome measures of vascular disease in SSc… Show more

ascular involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is known to start even before clinical diagnosis, driving digital ulcer (DU) disease. Later in the disease natural history, it can cause pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) among other manifestations. Despite the proven immune origin of scleroderma, vascular involvement is not currently targeted by immune driven interventions. Similarly, few data are available on immune or inflammatory biomarkers and outcome measures of vascular disease in SSc. Digital artery volume index (DAVIX) has been recently proposed as an imaging surrogate outcome measure of vascular disease activity in SSc. Show less

Histological remission is an important target for Ulcerative Colitis (UC) treatment; however, scoring of histological images is time-consuming and prone to inter and intra-observer variability. Thus, a need exists for an accurate, reproducible, and reliable automated method. Previously, we demonstrated an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tool using image processing and machine learning algorithms to measure histological disease activity using the Nancy index consistently and accurately.1 Here, we… Show more

Histological remission is an important target for Ulcerative Colitis (UC) treatment; however, scoring of histological images is time-consuming and prone to inter and intra-observer variability. Thus, a need exists for an accurate, reproducible, and reliable automated method. Previously, we demonstrated an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tool using image processing and machine learning algorithms to measure histological disease activity using the Nancy index consistently and accurately.1 Here, we aim to enhance the capabilities of the AI Tool, by adding substantially more population-diversified training data while maintaining accuracy and robustness of results.

By adding a larger number of images to the AI Tool training data, the robustness of the AI Tool was substantially improved while maintaining accuracy. The continued high correlation of AI Tool performance with the histopathologists reinforces the potential role for the AI Tool for IBD clinical applications. Fully characterising whole slides could standardise and validate an AI-driven scoring system for histology slides in IBD, eliminating the subjectivity of the human pathologist in assessment of disease activity. Show less

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is characterized by inflammatory arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis, and spondylitis. Apremilast is an oral immunomodulating phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor approved for the treatment of PsA. The impact of apremilast on objective measures of inflammation and structural progression of PsA has not yet been characterized. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of apremilast 30 mg BID (APR) on inflammation measured by dedicated MRI of the hand.


Objectives To evaluate the… Show more

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is characterized by inflammatory arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis, and spondylitis. Apremilast is an oral immunomodulating phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor approved for the treatment of PsA. The impact of apremilast on objective measures of inflammation and structural progression of PsA has not yet been characterized. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of apremilast 30 mg BID (APR) on inflammation measured by dedicated MRI of the hand.


Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of APR on inflammation and imaging outcomes and the safety profile of APR in this setting. Methods MOSAIC ( NCT03783026 ) was a phase 4, multicenter, single-arm, open-label study in patients (pts) with active PsA (≥3 months but ≤5 years since diagnosis, meeting CASPAR criteria for PsA) evaluating APR as monotherapy or in combination with stable methotrexate. Pts were treated with APR for 48 weeks and had MRI of the hand (contrast-enhanced) performed at baseline (BL), Week 24, and Week 48. All images were read and adjudicated by 2 experienced readers blinded to clinical information and time of acquisition.
The primary endpoint was change from BL in the composite score of hand bone marrow edema (BME), synovitis, and tenosynovitis in fingers 2–5, as assessed by the PsA MRI Score (PsAMRIS) at Week 24. Show less

To summarize the feasibility of computer-assisted quantification of joint pathologies on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with inflammatory arthritis by evaluating the published data on reliability, validity, and feasibility.

PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS) refers to a group of rare disorders, caused by somatic activating mutations in PIK3CA, resulting in abnormal PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway signalling. This work describes how imaging based biomarkers can support assessment of efficacy in ulr rare disease: (NCT03094832).

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to make a veritable impact in medicine. Clinical decision support (CDS) is an important area where AI can augment the clinician's capability to collect, understand and make inferences on an overwhelming volume of patient data to reach the optimal clinical decision. Advancements in medical image analysis, such as Radiomics, and data computation, such as machine learning, have expanded our understanding of disease processes and their management. In this… Show more

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to make a veritable impact in medicine. Clinical decision support (CDS) is an important area where AI can augment the clinician's capability to collect, understand and make inferences on an overwhelming volume of patient data to reach the optimal clinical decision. Advancements in medical image analysis, such as Radiomics, and data computation, such as machine learning, have expanded our understanding of disease processes and their management. In this article, we review the most relevant concepts of AI as applicable to advanced imaging-based clinical decision support systems. Show less

Can ultrasound (US), MRI and X-ray applied to the distal interphalangeal (DIP)-joint and synovio-entheseal complex (SEC) discriminate between patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), skin psoriasis (PsO) and hand osteoarthritis (OA)? High grade of US, MRI and X-ray NBF reduce the RR of having PsA compared with OA. In PsA versus PsO patients, there was a trend for US to demonstrate more structural changes in PsA although this did not reach significance.

The clinical management of COVID-19 is challenging. Medical imaging plays a critical role in the early detection, clinical monitoring and outcomes assessment of this disease. Chest x-ray radiography and computed tomography) are the standard imaging modalities used for the structural assessment of the disease status, while functional imaging (namely, positron emission tomography) has had limited application. Artificial intelligence can enhance the predictive power and utilization of these… Show more

The clinical management of COVID-19 is challenging. Medical imaging plays a critical role in the early detection, clinical monitoring and outcomes assessment of this disease. Chest x-ray radiography and computed tomography) are the standard imaging modalities used for the structural assessment of the disease status, while functional imaging (namely, positron emission tomography) has had limited application. Artificial intelligence can enhance the predictive power and utilization of these imaging approaches and new approaches focusing on detection, stratification and prognostication are showing encouraging results. We review the current landscape of these imaging modalities and artificial intelligence approaches as applied in COVID-19 management. Show less

Purpose To evaluate a novel quantitative methodology to assess inflammatory changes in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the impact of image quality on imaging outcomes compared to the RA Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (RAMRIS). Methods Three-dimensional, T1-weighted, fat-suppressed MRI sequences of the hand/wrist before and after intravenous Gadolinium contrast from patients with RA in a placebo-controlled clinical trial (NCT01185353) were… Show more

Purpose To evaluate a novel quantitative methodology to assess inflammatory changes in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the impact of image quality on imaging outcomes compared to the RA Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (RAMRIS). Methods Three-dimensional, T1-weighted, fat-suppressed MRI sequences of the hand/wrist before and after intravenous Gadolinium contrast from patients with RA in a placebo-controlled clinical trial (NCT01185353) were re-evaluated post hoc. The methodology was integrated into proprietary software (DYNAMIKA®) and assessed inflammation through pixelated measurements of the contrast-enhancing (inflammatory) volume. A semi-automatic approach outlined contrast-enhancing synovial tissue in the wrist and second to fifth metacarpophalangeal joints with a rough region of interest (ROI); quantitative imaging biomarkers were generated by means of quantitative total volume of inflammation and quantitative degree of inflammation relative to the signal in a 1 cm in diameter ROI in the center of the thenar or lumbrical muscle for internal reference. The time from Gadolinium injection to finalization of the post-contrast images was calculated from the images’ Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine header. An experienced reader graded image quality as poor, acceptable, or good. Results Results from this quantitative methodology, especially when excluding images with poor quality scores (14-32%), provided a more pronounced and monotonically increasing dose-response than the original RAMRIS results on synovitis and osteitis. Conclusions This computer-aided quantitative scoring method provided continuous measures of inflammatory changes relative to muscle and may be more sensitive and interpretable concerning dose/response separation between RA treatment groups. Show less

Inflammatory activity was unchanged, and pain was reduced in patients with knee OA adhering to 12 weeks of exercise therapy compared to a no-attention control group. The reduction in pain was not explained by changes in inflammatory activity. Overall, the results suggest that exercise is not harmful in knee OA. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01545258.

We discuss the potential of advanced imaging, particularly Dynamic Contrast Enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the objective assessment of the inflammatory process in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We emphasise the potential of DCE-MRI in advancing the field and exploring new areas of research and development in RA. We hypothesize that different grades of bone marrow edema (BME) and synovitis in RA can be examined and monitored in a more sensitive manner with DCE-MRI. Future… Show more

We discuss the potential of advanced imaging, particularly Dynamic Contrast Enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the objective assessment of the inflammatory process in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We emphasise the potential of DCE-MRI in advancing the field and exploring new areas of research and development in RA. We hypothesize that different grades of bone marrow edema (BME) and synovitis in RA can be examined and monitored in a more sensitive manner with DCE-MRI. Future treatments for RA may benefit from the application of enhanced imaging of BMEs and synovitis. DCE-MRI may also facilitate enhanced stratification and phenotyping of patients enrolled in clinical trials. Show less

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer occurring in men and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Medical imaging plays a major role in the management of this condition and includes Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

Biochemically-resistant prostate cancer is difficult to manage. In this paper, we discuss the increasingly important role that multiparametric MRI and PET/CT imaging play in its management and development novel… Show more

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer occurring in men and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Medical imaging plays a major role in the management of this condition and includes Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

Biochemically-resistant prostate cancer is difficult to manage. In this paper, we discuss the increasingly important role that multiparametric MRI and PET/CT imaging play in its management and development novel therapeutics. MRI is now certain to become the future cornerstone of the risk-stratification process for men at risk of early prostate cancer. A multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) scan is a special type of scan that creates more detailed pictures of the prostate than a standard MRI scan. It does this by combining four different types of image sequences. Show less

Radiomics-based biomarkers provide a deeper analysis of pathophysiologic processes and insights to better diagnose, classify, stratify, and prognosticate brain tumors, and to assess their response to therapy.

MTX is the first line treatment in early RA. There is robust evidence from cohort studies, but less from RCTs, that a “window of opportunity” exists over 12-16 weeks symptom duration. CR6086 is a selective prostaglandin EP4 receptor antagonist, with an immunomodulatory profile.

Reporter gene imaging (RGI) is described as the methodology that involves imaging of the encoding proteins that can be used as surrogate markers when fused with regulatory regions of the gene of interest. It provides a means to indirectly monitor molecular processes that are implicated in the pathophysiology of several diseases. The modalities utilized in RGI include MRI, PET, SPECT, as well as optical imaging modalities, such as bioluminescence and fluorescence. RGI provides a highly specific… Show more

Reporter gene imaging (RGI) is described as the methodology that involves imaging of the encoding proteins that can be used as surrogate markers when fused with regulatory regions of the gene of interest. It provides a means to indirectly monitor molecular processes that are implicated in the pathophysiology of several diseases. The modalities utilized in RGI include MRI, PET, SPECT, as well as optical imaging modalities, such as bioluminescence and fluorescence. RGI provides a highly specific way to qualitatively and quantitatively assess cell targeting, transfection, protein expression and other intracellular processes, which are valuable for pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic assessment of cellular, gene and oncolytic viral therapeutics. Show less

The results confirm an association between peripatellar-synovitis and pain in KOA. Overall, DCE-MRI showed stronger correlations with KOOS-Pain compared to static MRI. DCE-MRI analyses were highly reproducible and have the potential to be used to further investigate the role of inflammation and perfusion in KOA.

In recent years, several computational image analysis methods to assess disease progression in rheumatic diseases were presented. This review article explains the basics of these methods as well as their potential application in rheumatic disease monitoring, it covers radiography, sonography as well as magnetic resonance imaging in quantitative analysis frameworks.

O Hatsiopoulou, O Kubassova, I Jolley, C Ingram
Breast Cancer Research 12(Suppl 3) · October 2010

Paperback book by O. Kubassova and R. Boyle, Lambert Publishing House, Edition 1, ISBN 978-3-8383-6446-9, 2010

M. Boesen, O. Kubassova, M. Parodi, H. Bliddal, S. Innocenti, G. Garlaschi, M. A. Cimmino
European journal of radiology 77(2):202-6 · October 2010

M. Boesen, O. Kubassova, R. Bouert, M. B. Axelsen, M. Ostergaard, M. A. Cimmino, B. Danneskiold-Samsøe, K. Hørslev-Petersen, H. Bliddal
Rheumatology (Oxford, England) 51(1):134-43 · November 2011

M. Boesen, O. Kubassova, M. A. Cimmino, M. Ostergaard, P. C. Taylor, B. Danneskiold-Samsøe, H. Bliddal
Hindawi Publishing Corporation, Arthritis,Volume 2011, Article ID 578252, 8 pages

M. A. Cimmino, F. Barbieri, M. Boesen, F. Paparo, M. Parodi, O. Kubassova, R. Scarpa, G. Zampogna
Journal of Rheumatology Supplement 89:44-8 · July 2012

M. B. Axelsen, M. Stoltenberg, R. P. Poggenborg, O. Kubassova, M. Boesen, H. Bliddal, K. Hørslev-Petersen, L. G. Hanson, M. Østergaard
Scandinavian journal of rheumatology 41(2):89-94 · January 2012

Book chapter, Bliddal H, Boesen M, Christensen R, Kubassova O, Torp-Pedersen S., Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 22(6):1109-26, 2008

Book chapter, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Kubassova, O., Boesen, M., Peloschek, P., Langs, G., Cimmino, M. A., Bliddal, H. and Torp-Pedersen, S.

Mette Bjørndal Axelsen, Rene P Poggenborg, Michael Stoltenberg, Mikael Boesen, Olga Kubassova, Kim HØrslev-Petersen, Henning Bliddal, Lars G. Hanson and Mikkel Østergaard, Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 2012

M. B. Axelsen, R. P. Poggenborg, M. Stoltenberg, O. Kubassova, M. Boesen, K. Hørslev-Petersen, H. Bliddal, Lg. Hanson, M. Ostergaard
Scandinavian journal of rheumatology 42(2) · December 2012

M. B. Axelsen, B. J. Ejbjerg, M. Hetland, K. Horslev-Petersen, U. B. Lauridsen, O. Majgaard, M. Boesen, O. Kubassova, H. Bliddal, M. Ostergaard
Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology 41:28-29 · January 2012