Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
06:05
Multiplex Immunofluorescence Combined with Spatial Image Analysis for the Clinical and Biological Assessment of the Tumor Microenvironment
Published on: June 2, 2023
Cancer classification using the Immunoscore: a worldwide task force
Jérôme Galon1, Franck Pagès, Francesco M Marincola
1INSERM, U872, Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Paris, F-75006, France. jerome.galon@crc.jussieu.fr
Journal of Translational Medicine
|October 5, 2012
Summary
The Immunoscore, an assessment of the immune system
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Traditional cancer staging (AJCC/UICC-TNM) has limitations in predicting clinical outcome and therapy response.
- The host immune system plays a critical role in controlling tumor progression.
- Existing staging lacks prognostic information beyond tumor burden and spread.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the prognostic and predictive value of immunological biomarkers in cancer.
- To advocate for the integration of the Immunoscore into traditional cancer classification.
- To address the need for harmonization in quantitative immunohistochemistry assays.
Main Methods:
- Review of accumulating data from large human cancer cohorts.
- Analysis of the impact of immune-classification on prognosis.
- Discussion of an international task force initiative for Immunoscore validation.
Main Results:
- Immune-classification demonstrates significant prognostic value, potentially augmenting the AJCC/UICC TNM-classification.
- The Immunoscore can provide essential prognostic and predictive information.
- Immunophenotyping of tumors offers crucial novel prognostic insights.
Conclusions:
- Incorporating the Immunoscore into cancer classification (TNM-I) will enhance clinical decision-making and patient treatment stratification.
- Assay harmonization is urgently required for the routine clinical application of the Immunoscore.
- The validation of the Immunoscore may lead to its implementation as a new standard in cancer classification.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...