Editorial: Multiplexed image analysis for translational research project applications

Abstract

Editorial on the Research Topic Multiplexed image analysis for translational research project applicationsWith the continuous improvement in our understanding of immuno-oncology and in the therapeutic arsenal for establishing personalized treatment for patients, tumor biomarkers targeting specific disease patterns are necessary. The evaluation of protein expression employing immunostaining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens is an ancillary technique for guiding clinical decisions in multiple situations, such as tumor stratification, evaluation of disease recurrence, precise mutation discovery, and subsequent targeting of treatment towards specific biomarkers. However, standard enzyme-based chromogenic immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a classic technology to study tumor microenvironments has limitations such as the use of separate slides per marker or challenges to analyze markers that are expressed by different cell populations with digital image analysis (1). In contrast to standard bright-field IHC staining, multiplexed image analysis technologies offer the opportunity to observe several markers independently in one tissue section without staining each marker on separate slides (2). Multiplexed analysis also allows accurate protein co-localization, stain adjustment, objective scoring, and identification of cut-off values for each biomarker. These properties are critical in low immune-stained areas, which represent difficult areas to evaluate on immunostained glass slides and may be misinterpreted as unfavorable because of camouflaging by the hematoxylin counterstain (3). In this Research Topic, we highlight a series of publications focusing on the applicability of the commercial modalities in most common use multiplexed imaging modalities to enable prospective users to conduct translational research and tumor immune environment characterization.Several highly multiplexed tissue imaging technologies have also emerged involving cyclic immunofluorescence (IF), tyramide-based IHC/IF, epitope-targeted mass spectrometry, or RNA detection, allowing detailed studies of cell structure, functionalFrontiers in Oncology frontiersin.org 01

Exploring the Complex and Multifaceted Interplay between Melanoma Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment

“…Single marker IHC has long been used to study immune cells in melanoma, mainly focusing on their density and distribution and how that impacts prognosis prediction [ 114 , 115 , 116 ]. Melanomas containing a high number of CD8+ T cells in the stromal compartment and within the tumor parenchyma are considered “hot”, while “cold” melanomas are characterized by a scarce immune infiltrate [ 117 , 118 ].…”