Abstract 2548: Using whole slide digital image analysis to quantify leukocyte populations in tumor sections
Authors: Krueger Joseph S. , Laffin Brian , Lange Holger , Milici Anthony , Neeley Eric , Peljto Mirza , Suraneni Mahipal , Young David 
Published: May 2015

In recent years, the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been identified as an important factor influencing the growth and metastasis of the tumor. Multiple studies have shown that adding the “Immunoscore” assessment to the AJCC/UICC-TNM classification system improves the accuracy of outcome prediction, and in some cases outperforms traditional TNM staging. In many instances these studies have been performed utilizing 2-3 independent readers to manually quantify the cells, performed on selective high-powered fields or TMA cores rather than the entire specimen, resulting in variations in counts when different high powered fields (HPFs) or cores are chosen. A key method to increase the throughput and to decrease the variability is to utilize whole slide imaging and computerized image analysis to provide leukocyte counts. An image analysis algorithm which can automatically differentiate tumor from stroma would allow rapid quantification of endpoints in each tissue compartment across the whole specimen.

To address these issues, Flagship Biosciences has designed proprietary CellMapTM image analysis algorithm tools to develop an Immunoscore-like paradigm for colorectal cancers (CRCs) to potentially provide new and more accurate TME information to aid in interpretation. Utilizing whole slide imaging (WSI) approaches, CellMap™ allows the quantitation of leukocyte populations (e.g., CD3+, CD8+, FoxP3+) automatically across whole tissue sections. Using this algorithm, leukocyte populations were quantified in sections that have been either singly or dually labeled for inflammatory markers. Our preliminary studies indicate that Immunoscore-like scoring paradigm should be established both in tumor areas and in adjacent stroma to provide the most complete information on the biology of the tumor. We compared the use of this approach in tissue microarray (TMA) cores which generally sample areas of dense tumor mass, and compared automated WSI to manual HPF approaches. Accuracy of the algorithm was demonstrated by comparing data from manual counts to algorithm derived counts using high-powered fields. These data support using CellMap™ in the prospective or retrospective assessment of leukocyte subpopulations in whole slides of clinical samples. This approach will diminish variability in counting, expand the types of endpoints determined, and improve the statistical value of these determinations, thereby facilitating robust TME measurements with clinical value.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting.

Citation Format: Joseph S. Krueger, Brian Laffin, Holger Lange, Anthony Milici, Eric Neeley, Mirza Peljto, Mahipal Suraneni, David Young. Using whole slide digital image analysis to quantify leukocyte populations in tumor sections. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2548. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2548