Automation of an algorithm based on fuzzy clustering for analyzing tumoral heterogeneity in human skin carcinoma tissue sections.

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Date publication

mai 2011

Auteurs

Membres identifiés du Cancéropôle Est :
Pr PIOT Olivier


Tous les auteurs :
Sebiskveradze D, Vrabie V, Gobinet C, Durlach A, Bernard P, Ly E, Manfait M, Jeannesson P, Piot O

Résumé

This study aims to develop a new FT-IR spectral imaging of tumoral tissue permitting a better characterization of tumor heterogeneity and tumor/surrounding tissue interface. Infrared (IR) data were acquired on 13 biopsies of paraffin-embedded human skin carcinomas. Our approach relies on an innovative fuzzy C-means (FCM)-based clustering algorithm, allowing the automatic and simultaneous estimation of the optimal FCM parameters (number of clusters K and fuzziness index m). FCM seems more suitable than classical 'hard' clusterings, as it permits the assignment of each IR spectrum to every cluster with a specific membership value. This characteristic allows differentiating the nuances in the assignment of pixels, particularly those corresponding to tumoral tissue and those located at the tumor/peritumoral tissue interface. FCM images permit to highlight a marked heterogeneity within the tumor and characterize the interconnection between tissular structures. For the infiltrative tumors, a progressive gradient in the membership values of the pixels of the invasive front was also revealed.

Référence

Lab Invest. 2011 May;91(5):799-811