Improving histotyping precision: The impact of immunohistochemical algorithms on epithelial ovarian cancer classification

To improve the precision of epithelial ovarian cancer histotyping, Köbel et al. (2016) developed immunohistochemical decision-tree algorithms. These included a six- and four-split algorithm, and separate six-split algorithms for early- and advanced stage disease. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of these algorithms. A gynecological pathologist determined the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-based histotypes of 230 patients. Subsequently, the final histotypes were established by re-evaluating the H&E-stained sections and immunohistochemistry outcomes. For histotype prediction using the algorithms, the immunohistochemical markers Napsin A, p16, p53, progesterone receptor (PR), trefoil factor 3 (TFF3), and Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1) were scored. The algorithmic predictions were compared with the final histotypes to assess their precision, for which the early- and advanced stage algorithms were assessed together as six-split-stages algorithm. The six-split algorithm demonstrated 96.1% precision, whereas the six-split-stages and four-split algorithms showed 93.5% precision. Of the 230 cases, 16 (7%) showed discordant original and final diagnoses; the algorithms concurred with the final diagnosis in 14/16 cases (87.5%). In 12.4%–13.3% of cases, the H&E-based histotype changed based on the algorithmic outcome. The six-split stages algorithm had a lower sensitivity for low-grade serous carcinoma (80% versus 100%), while the four-split stages algorithm showed reduced sensitivity for endometrioid carcinoma (78% versus 92.7–97.6%). Considering the higher sensitivity of the six-split algorithm for endometrioid and low-grade serous carcinoma compared with the four-split and six-split-stages algorithms, respectively, we recommend the adoption of the six-split algorithm for histotyping epithelial ovarian cancer in clinical practice. •Efficacies of immunohistochemistry-based decision-tree algorithms for histotyping epithelial ovarian cancer were evaluated.•The six-split algorithm showed an accuracy of 96.1%, compared to 93.5% of the other algorithms.•In 12.4%–13.3% of cases, histotypes based on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections changed after algorithmic predictions.•We recommend the adoption of the six-split algorithm for histotyping epithelial ovarian cancer in clinical practice.