Profiling tumor immune microenvironment of non-small cell lung cancer using multiplex immunofluorescence

Purpose: We attempt to profile the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by multiplex immunofluorescence (MIF). Experimental Design: MIF test was performed on 681 NSCLC cases in our center between 2009 and 2011. The number, density, proportion and correlation of 26 types of immune cells in tumor nest and tumor stroma were evaluated. An unsupervised consensus clustering approach was utilized to identify robust clusters of patients. Immune-related risk score (IRRS) was constructed for prognosis prediction for disease-free survival (DFS). Results: The landscape of TIME was illustrated, revealing some close interactions particularly between intrastromal neutrophils and intratumoral regulatory T cells (Treg) (r2 = 0.439, P