Multiplex Immune Profiling of Tumors: Translational Framework from the International Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Working Group
This comprehensive Journal of Pathology report from an international working group of over 130 experts evaluates multiplex immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence as tools for simultaneous multi-biomarker detection in tumor tissue. The review establishes that multiplex immune profiling can reveal critical features of the tumor microenvironment, including spatial relationships between immune and tumor cells, to guide immunotherapy decisions. The authors present a structured framework addressing regulatory, clinical trial, and standardization challenges necessary for clinical integration.
The original study
Image-based multiplex immune profiling of cancer tissues: translational implications. A report of the International Immuno-oncology Biomarker Working Group on Breast Cancer.
- Authors
- Jahangir CA, Page DB, Broeckx G, Gonzalez CA, Burke C, Murphy C, et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of pathology
- Type
- Journal Article, Review, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- PMID
- 38230434
Original abstract
Recent advances in the field of immuno-oncology have brought transformative changes in the management of cancer patients. The immune profile of tumours has been found to have key value in predicting disease prognosis and treatment response in various cancers. Multiplex immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence have emerged as potent tools for the simultaneous detection of multiple protein biomarkers in a single tissue section, thereby expanding opportunities for molecular and immune profiling while preserving tissue samples. By establishing the phenotype of individual tumour cells when distributed within a mixed cell population, the identification of clinically relevant biomarkers with high-throughput multiplex immunophenotyping of tumour samples has great potential to guide appropriate treatment choices. Moreover, the emergence of novel multi-marker imaging approaches can now provide unprecedented insights into the tumour microenvironment, including the potential interplay between various cell types. However, there are significant challenges to widespread integration of these technologies in daily research and clinical practice. This review addresses the challenges and potential solutions within a structured framework of action from a regulatory and clinical trial perspective. New developments within the field of immunophenotyping using multiplexed tissue imaging platforms and associated digital pathology are also described, with a specific focus on translational implications across different subtypes of cancer. © 2024 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.