Tissue microarray (TMA) technology combined with computerized quantitative analysis of immunohistochemistry (IHC) stained slides offers a powerful tool for assessing protein expression within tissue samples. This approach allows researchers to evaluate multiple samples simultaneously, providing high-throughput data suitable for complex statistical analysis. For example, this method could be used to determine the expression levels of a specific receptor in various cancer subtypes.
Quantitative analysis of TMA-IHC data provides objective and reproducible results, eliminating subjective interpretation biases associated with traditional pathology methods. This objectivity enhances the reliability and statistical power of research studies, particularly in translational research aimed at identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Historically, evaluating protein expression relied heavily on qualitative assessments by pathologists, which lacked the precision and throughput necessary for large-scale studies. The advent of TMA and computerized quantitative analysis marked a significant advancement in pathology research, facilitating deeper insights into disease mechanisms and accelerating drug discovery efforts.
