Development of an Automated Image Analyzer for Microvessel Density Measurement in Bone Marrow Biopsies
10.3343/alm.2020.40.4.312
- Author:
Yousun CHUNG
1
;
Seungwon SHIN
;
Hyoeun SHIM
;
Ji Yeon SOHN
;
Dong eun LEE
;
Hyewon LEE
;
Hyeon Seok EOM
;
Kwang Gi KIM
;
Sun Young KONG
Author Information
1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- From:Annals of Laboratory Medicine
2020;40(4):312-316
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Angiogenesis is important for the proliferation and survival of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Bone marrow (BM) microvessel density (MVD) is a useful marker of angiogenesis and an increase in MVD can be used as a marker of poor prognosis in MM patients. We developed an automated image analyzer to assess MVD from images of BM biopsies stained with anti-CD34 antibodies using two color models. MVD was calculated by merging images from the red and hue channels after eliminating non-microvessels. The analyzer results were compared with those obtained by two experienced hematopathologists in a blinded manner using the 84 BM samples of MM patients. Manual assessment of the MVD by two hematopathologists yielded mean±SD values of 19.4±11.8 and 20.0±11.8. The analyzer generated a mean±SD of 19.5±11.2. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plot of the MVD results demonstrated very good agreement between the automated image analyzer and both hematopathologists (ICC=0.893 [0.840–0.929] and ICC=0.906 [0.859–0.938]). This automated analyzer can provide time- and labor-saving benefits with more objective results in hematology laboratories.
