Imaging System Spatial Proximity Scoring for Immunotherapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cancer treatment methods lack effective means to predict patient response to immunotherapy, particularly in determining the proximity of biomarker-expressing cells which is crucial for assessing treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with an image processing controller that analyzes image data from tumor tissue to calculate a spatial proximity score between cells expressing different biomarkers, using techniques such as dilation and normalization to assess the likelihood of a positive immunotherapy response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional biomarker quantitation methods are used, then the measurement process is simple, but the predictive power for immunotherapy response is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tissue sample analysis into multiple distinct steps: image acquisition, image preprocessing, cell segmentation, biomarker detection, proximity calculation, and scoring. This segmentation allows complex spatial analysis to be broken down into manageable processing stages, enabling accurate measurement of cell-proximity biomarkers while maintaining systematic control over the overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces computational image processing algorithms as an intermediary between traditional biomarker quantitation and clinical decision-making. This intermediary layer transforms raw image data into quantified cell-proximity measurements, bridging the gap between simple imaging and complex predictive analytics without requiring direct modification of the imaging hardware
2Measurement precision
If spatial proximity analysis is implemented, then the predictive accuracy for immunotherapy response improves, but the computational processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing images to enhance contrast, reduce noise, and standardize illumination before conducting proximity analysis. Cell masks are generated in advance to define regions of interest, and reference frameworks are established beforehand to guide the proximity calculation process, thereby reducing the computational burden during the actual measurement phase
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the measurement problem by changing parameters from traditional biomarker quantitation (concentration-based) to spatial proximity measurements (distance-based). This parameter transformation enables the use of image processing techniques that are computationally more efficient than traditional methods while providing superior predictive accuracy for immunotherapy response
3Reliability
If cell proximity scoring is performed, then the ability to predict immunotherapy response improves, but the time required for analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms through automated algorithms that perform cell segmentation, biomarker detection, and proximity calculation without manual intervention. The system automatically generates cell masks, identifies relevant cell pairs, computes proximity metrics, and produces final scores, eliminating time-consuming manual analysis while maintaining high prediction reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis methods with automated computational image processing. Instead of physically measuring distances between cells under a microscope, the system uses digital image analysis algorithms to automatically calculate proximity metrics, significantly reducing analysis time while improving consistency and reliability of results
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates, in part, to systems and methods for scoring a sample containing tumor tissue from a cancer patient. The score obtained from these methods can be indicative of a likelihood that a patient may respond positively to immunotherapy. The invention also relates, in part, to methods of deriving a value for % biomarker positivity (PBP) for all cells or optionally, one or more subsets thereof, present in a field of view of a tissue sample from a cancer patient. The values for PBP can be indicative of a patient's response to immunotherapy.