Computer-assisted pathological immunohistochemistry scoring is more time-effective than conventional scoring, but provides no analytical advantage.
OBJECTIVE
Interpretation of immunohistochemistry is primarily done through human visual scoring while computer-assisted scoring is relatively uncommon. This study aimed to examine (i) the level of agreement between human visual and computer-assisted pathological scoring of immunoreactivity expression in colorectal cancers, (ii) whether computer-assisted scoring affects the prognostic significance of biomarkers, and (iii) whether computer-assisted pathological scoring provides any time-saving or reproducibility advantages.


RESULTS
Tissue microarray blocks were constructed from the primary colorectal adenocarcinoma specimens of 486 patients. Scoring of the six markers [cytokeratin (CK) 7, CK20, cyclooxygenase-2, Ki67, p27 and p53] was done independently by a qualified pathologist, a trained scientist and the Ariol SL-50 (Applied Imaging). Univariate analysis showed that human visual and computer-assisted scoring were strongly correlated (all kappa values >0.8). Both human visual and computer-assisted pathological scoring identified the same set of biomarkers with significant association with survival. Computer-assisted pathological scoring was shown to be a time-effective means of scoring larger numbers of slides (for high-throughput studies).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that computer-assisted pathological scoring can be a viable alternative to pathologist scoring in a manner that is more practical and time-effective, but, interestingly, providing no analytical advantage.
Ong
Chee Wee
CW
Department of Pathology, National University of Singapore, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, Singapore.
Kim
Lay Gek
LG
Kong
Hui Hui
HH
Low
Lai Yee
LY
Wang
Ting Ting
TT
Supriya
Srivastava
S
Kathiresan
Manickam
M
Soong
Richie
R
Salto-Tellez
Manuel
M
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor