Integrating Multiplex Immunohistochemistry and Machine Learning for Glioma Subtyping and Prognosis Prediction

Glioma subtyping is crucial for treatment decisions, but traditional approaches often fail to capture tumor heterogeneity. This study proposes a novel framework integrating multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) and machine learning for glioma subtyping and prognosis prediction. 185 patient samples from the Huashan hospital cohort were stained using a multi-label mIHC panel and analyzed with an AI-based auto-scanning system to calculate cell ratios and determine the proportion of positive tumor cells for various markers. Patients were divided into two cohorts (training: <i>N</i> = 111, testing: <i>N</i> = 74), and a machine learning model was then developed and validated for subtype classification and prognosis prediction. The framework identified two distinct glioma subtypes with significant differences in prognosis, clinical characteristics, and molecular profiles. The high-risk subtype, associated with older age, poorer outcomes, astrocytoma/glioblastoma, higher tumor grades, elevated mesenchymal scores, and an inhibitory immune microenvironment, exhibited IDH wild-type, 1p19q non-codeletion, and MGMT promoter unmethylation, suggesting chemotherapy resistance. Conversely, the low-risk subtype, characterized by younger age, better prognosis, astrocytoma/oligodendroglioma, lower tumor grades, and favorable molecular profiles (IDH mutation, 1p19q codeletion, MGMT promoter methylation), indicated chemotherapy sensitivity. The mIHC-based framework enables rapid glioma classification, facilitating tailored treatment strategies and accurate prognosis prediction, potentially improving patient management and outcomes.