Dr Roger Hugh ALISON
BVSc, MRCVS, DiplECVP

Peer Review

Outsourcing the peer review process saves senior management time, is cost-effective and is independent of local bias. I spent two years conducting peer reviews and pathology working groups employed as an “Expert Pathologist” by the US National Toxicology Program, and have continued to do them.

I perform independent peer reviews either in my own offices or on client premises. If undertaken on a double-headed microscope at the client’s premises, a peer review also serves a useful teaching function for younger study pathologists.

Glass Slides or Whole Slide Images?

I am happy with either. I have more than three years’ experience of WSI for (non-GLP) peer of GLP studies, using the Aperio ImageScope system.

I am also an enthusiastic user of the Deciphex Patholytix WSI system, and my installation has been validated for GLP compliant peer review.

WSI have the advantage that there is immediate communication and sharing of images, significantly reducing peer review time for tight deadlines.

Timing?

Most peer reviews can be carried out in a short period of time (1-3 days), or a number of studies can be reviewed during a week’s visit.

A peer review of a carcinogenicity study typically requires two weeks, and includes review of all neoplasms and focal (preneoplastic) hyperplasias, and all slides of target organs.

An expedited peer review of a carcinogenicity study can be completed one week after the study pathologist finishes reading slides (by beginning peer review before the end of the primary read).