Abstract
Methods for personalizing medical treatment are the focal point of
contemporary biomedical research. In cancer care, we can analyze the
effects of therapies at the level of individual cells. Quantitative
characterization of treatment efficacy and evaluation of why some
individuals respond to specific regimens, whereas others do not,
requires additional approaches to genetic sequencing at single time
points. Methods for the analysis of changes in phenotype, such as
in vivo and ex vivo morphology and localization of
cellular proteins and organelles can provide important insights into
patient treatment options. Novel therapies are needed to extend survival
in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a cell surface glycoprotein
that is commonly overexpressed by prostate cancer (PC) cells relative to
normal prostate cells, provides a validated target. We developed a
software for image analysis designed to identify PSMA expression on the
surface of epithelial cells in order to extract prognostic metrics. In
addition, our software can deliver predictive information and inform
clinicians regarding the efficacy of PC therapy. We can envisage
additional applications of our software system, beyond PC, as PSMA is
expressed in a variety of tissues. Our method is based on image
denoising, topologic partitioning, and edge detection. These three steps
allow to segment the area of each PSMA spot in an image of a coverslip
with epithelial cells. Our objective has been to present the community
with an integrated, easy to use by all, tool for resolving the complex
cytoskeletal organization and it is our goal to have such software
system approved for use in the clinical practice.