Correlation of in vivo imaging to morphomolecular pathology in translational research: challenge accepted

Ballke, Simone; Heid, Irina; Mogler, Carolin; Braren, Rickmer; Schwaiger, Markus; Weichert, Wilko; Steiger, Katja

doi:10.1186/s13550-021-00826-2

EJNMMI Research

Table 2 Challenges and benefits of interdisciplinary cooperation between researchers and pathologists in translational oncology research

From: Correlation of in vivo imaging to morphomolecular pathology in translational research: challenge accepted

Scientific step	Coordinator	Challenges/solutions	Benefit for researchers
Project management	Researcher	Definition of question, aim of the study, study and experimental design
Project management	Pathologist	Experimental design with focus on appropriate mouse models and histopathological evaluation with focus on co-localization	Choosing a suitable animal model for the research question, appropriate/realistic time table
In vivo imaging	Researcher	Performance, coordination of procedure and time table in consultation with pathologist
In vivo imaging	Pathologist	Coordination of histopathological tissue processing after in vivo imaging according to time table of researcher	Fast and correct tissue sampling and processing
Submission of tissue/animals	Researcher	Inform pathologist before necropsy, planning of necropsy in consultation with pathologist
Submission of tissue/animals	Pathologist	Feedback to researcher about time table, fixation, tissue processing with focus on co-localization, provide appropriate protocols for necropsy	Fast and correct tissue sampling and processing
Co-localization
- Basic co-localization	Researcher	Definition of question and aim of co-localization approach
	Researcher	Planning of necropsy with focus on special orientation
	Pathologist	Planning and consulting of necropsy and tissue processing - Flagging by ink - Embedding in the right plane - Consecutive slides	Ensure the correct orientation of tissues for later co-localization
- Complex co-localization	Researcher	Definition of question and aim of co-localization approach
	Researcher	Planning of necropsy with focus on special orientation
	Pathologist	Planning/consulting of necropsy/tissue processing with focus on orientation - Removement of tissue with adjacent organ structures - Flagging by ink - Embedding in the right plane - Consecutive slides	Ensure the correct orientation of tissues for later co-localization
Tissue processing	Researcher	In consultation with pathologist
	Pathologist	Time table and coordination with the pathology laboratory (e.g. CEP) - Fixation - Embedding in the right plane, special orientation - Cutting: number and type of slides, consecutive slides - Staining: H&E, additional special stainings	Fast and appropriate tissue processing
		- Immunohistochemistry	Selection of the right target antigen, antibody, protocol
		- Scanning	Simplification of co-localization and co-registration
Histopathological evaluation	Researcher	In consultation with pathologist
Histopathological evaluation	Pathologist	Evaluation of H&E stains, special stainings, immunohistochemistry	Correct histopathological diagnosis because of - Classification of lesions in a comparative way - Standardized vocabulary in description - Knowledge of strain-specific background lesions - Knowledge of differential diagnoses (non-expected alterations)
Co-registration	Researcher	Combining in vivo imaging with histopathological findings, in consultation with pathologist
Co-registration	Pathologist	Consulting researcher with focus on co-localization of histomorphological findings to in vivo imaging	Use of correct histopathological terms and localization for description of findings
Summary	Interdisciplinary cooperation		Accuracy and reproducibility of results

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