Prognostic Value of Deep Learning-Extracted Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Esophageal Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been proven to be important prognostic factors for various tumors. However, their prognostic significance within the context of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains inadequately explored. This study aims to assess the prognostic potential of TILs in ESCC using deep learning (DL) methods.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively enrolled 626 pathologically confirmed ESCC patients from two research centers. Their digital whole-slide imaging (WSI) and corresponding clinical information were collected. Subsequently, the DL method was employed to identify the tumor margin and TILs within the WSI. Tissue was divided into intratumor, peritumoral, and stromal regions based on their distance from the tumor margin. TIL

SUBMITTER: Li P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12268311 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature