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Intermediate Technical IVT

CPS

Also written as: CPS — Combined Positive Score

Combined Positive Score, a PD-L1 scoring method including both tumor and immune cell expression.

Full Definition

CPS (Combined Positive Score) is a PD-L1 immunohistochemistry scoring method that calculates the number of PD-L1 positive tumor cells plus PD-L1 positive immune cells divided by the total number of viable tumor cells, multiplied by 100. CPS is used across multiple cancer types including head and neck, gastroesophageal, cervical, and triple-negative breast cancers for immunotherapy patient selection. Unlike TPS, CPS includes immune cell PD-L1 expression in the score calculation. Editors must understand that CPS thresholds vary by cancer type and treatment indication, requiring careful verification of appropriate cutoff values in clinical documentation.

Usage

Usage note: Capitalize as CPS. Include specific score value and indicate cancer type-specific threshold when applicable.

In Context

  • "The head and neck tumor showed CPS of 12, exceeding the threshold of ≥1 for pembrolizumab eligibility." — immunotherapy biomarker report
  • "CPS scoring methodology was used to assess PD-L1 expression in this gastric adenocarcinoma specimen." — pathology consultation

Also known as

combined positive score

Don't confuse with

TPS IC score

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