Quantitative Continuous Scoring as an Approach to TROP2 Measurement

Drs. Levy and Rimm shift the discussion to quantitative continuous scoring and the concept of TROP2 normalized membrane ratio as a novel approach to biomarker measurement. Dr. Rimm describes how computational pathology and artificial intelligence enable objective measurement rather than subjective scoring, allowing for greater reproducibility across institutions. They explore how this method captures both membranous and intracellular TROP2 expression and why ratio-based measurements may help account for technical variability inherent to immunohistochemistry. Dr. Levy and Dr. Rimm also discuss the biological questions raised by cytoplasmic TROP2 measurement and whether it reflects protein production, trafficking, or other cellular processes. While emphasizing the promise of this approach, both acknowledge that the field is still early and that further validation is required to fully understand which quantitative variables are most clinically meaningful.