Innovative Biomarker Spatial Analysis for Comprehensive Tissue Immunophenotyping

Advances in tissue-based technologies over the past few years have created opportunities to identify patterns that can be used as biomarkers and prognostic indicators for different disease states. With the use of multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) assays, the field has gone beyond visualizing a single protein or  cell type on a tissue section and there is now room for greater complexity of image analysis. mIF can not only allow complex phenotyping of multiple cell types on a single tissue section, but the spatial relationships within the tissue can be both visualized and quantified. The incorporation of same slide H&Es, can even further increase the amount of information present on a single tissue section. This technology offers a unique advantage of preserving the architectural features of the tissue and revealing the spatial relationships that allow a detailed characterization of specific cell phenotypes defined by co- or lack of expression of multiple markers that may help in predicting clinical responses and mechanisms of resistance to treatment.

Learning Objectives:

1. Examine the concept that both spatial relationships and cell phenotypes can influence factors such as patient outcome and response to treatment. 

2. Demonstrate how advanced image analysis software can be applied to discover cell types and populations within a morphological and spatial context.

3. Discuss real world examples of how whole slide image analysis can give insight into the immune environment and spatial relationships.