The Institute of Cancer Research UK advances quantitative immunohistochemistry capabilities using Ariol® image analysis system

The Institute of Cancer Research, one of the world’s leading cancer research organisations, has significantly expanded its capabilities for the performance of automated, quantitative immunohistochemistry studies through the installation of an Ariol® SL-50 imaging platform from Applied Imaging.

The system will be housed in a new molecular pathology unit to be established in the Section of Medicine at The Institute. Researchers will use the Ariol platform to evaluate the effects of potential anti-cancer agents and in other areas of drug development.

Capable of providing precise quantifications on multiple cell parameters including size, intensity, colour, and morphology, the Ariol system will make it possible for pathologists to reduce the time required to perform standard IHC experiments, while expanding the scope of the data that can be collected for analysis. As a high throughput, automated image analysis system that can be customised to match the exact needs of specific applications, the Ariol SL-50 is suitable for a variety of applications in cancer drug research, including the identification of disease biomarkers, the study of gene expression at the cellular level, as an aid in the discovery and evaluation of theranostics, and rare event detection.

The team have acquired the Applied Imaging’s Ariol SL-50 Pathology platform to aid in the development of novel therapies and are currently focusing on surfacing receptors and signalling pathways related to prostate cancer. Dr. Johann de Bono, from The Institute of Cancer Research explained, “The Ariol system will be used initially for experiments involving quantitative immunohistochemistry. It will enable us to more rapidly process tissue sections and tissue microarrays from patients undergoing a range of treatments. We will later broaden its use to include both other areas of oncology and for the evaluation of drug effects.”

Simon Smith, Director of Commercial Operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa for Applied Imaging added, “We’re very pleased to be working with The Institute of Cancer Research. They provide an invaluable contribution to oncology research and the development of cancer therapeutics and we look forward to assisting them in these endeavours. The Ariol system was developed to provide laboratories with an automated and high-throughput means of objective results in a range of immunohistochemistry protocols, including tissue microarrays, FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization), and Sentinel Lymph node studies. These are supported by a unique, trainable classifier that enables users to habituate the system to their individual lab techniques, accommodating day-to-day run variations and methodology.”