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. 2024 Jan-Dec:23:15330338241242635.
doi: 10.1177/15330338241242635.

Correlation Between ImageJ and Conventional Manual Scoring Methods for Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Immuno-Histochemically Stained Sections

Rand Suleiman Al Taher  1   2 , Manal A Abbas  1   3 , Khalid Halahleh  4 , Maher A Sughayer  2
Affiliations

Correlation Between ImageJ and Conventional Manual Scoring Methods for Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Immuno-Histochemically Stained Sections

Rand Suleiman Al Taher et al. Technol Cancer Res Treat. 2024 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Background: One of the most frequently used methods for quantifying PD-L1 (programmed cell death-ligand 1) expression in tumor tissue is IHC (immunohistochemistry). This may predict the patient's response to anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapy in cancer. Methods: ImageJ software was used to score IHC-stained sections for PD-L1 and compare the results with the conventional manual method. Results: In diffuse large B cell lymphoma, no significant difference between the scores obtained by the conventional method and ImageJ scores obtained using the option "RGB" or "Brightness/Contrast." On the other hand, a significant difference was found between the conventional and HSB scoring methods. ImageJ faced some challenges in analyzing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissues because of tissue heterogenicity. A significant difference was found between the conventional and ImageJ scores using HSB or RGB but not with the "Brightness/Contrast" option. Scores obtained by ImageJ analysis after taking images using 20 × objective lens gave significantly higher readings compared to 40 × magnification. A significant difference between camera-captured images' scores and scanner whole slide images' scores was observed. Conclusion: ImageJ can be used to score homogeneous tissues. In the case of highly heterogeneous tissues, it is advised to use the conventional method rather than ImageJ scoring.

Keywords: ImageJ; PD-L1; immunohistochemistry; manual scoring; scoring.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
(A) IHC scores for DLBCL obtained by different scoring methods. (B-D) Spearman's correlation coefficient for conventional scoring versus ImageJ scoring methods for DLBCL.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
(A) IHC scores for HNSCC were obtained by different scoring methods. (B-D) Spearman's correlation coefficient for conventional scoring versus ImageJ scoring methods for HNSCC.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
(A) ImageJ scores using 20 × magnification power versus 40 × for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) specimens. (B) Spearman's correlation coefficient between 20 × and 40 × magnification power for DLBCL.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
(A) Spearman's correlation coefficient of scanner WSI scoring versus conventional scoring for DLBCL. (B) Spearman's correlation coefficient of camera-captured image scoring versus conventional scoring for DLBCL. (C) Comparison between camera and scanner-captured image scoring.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
(A) ImageJ scores using the average of 5 fields versus 3 fields for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) specimens. (B) Spearman's correlation coefficient between 20× and 40× magnification power for DLBCL.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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