Quantitation of estrogen and progesterone receptors by immunocytochemical and image analyses

Abstract

The ability to detect estrogen and progesterone receptors by immunocytochemical analysis in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections has clear advantages over other techniques, including the ability to assay small biopsy specimens, fine needle aspirate samples, and archival material. Twenty-two cases of breast carcinoma were evaluated for estrogen and progesterone receptors by immunocytochemical analysis and enzyme immunoassay. Using a true color-based image analysis system, histograms of area versus the optical density of the positive staining nuclei were generated. A binary decision algorithm was derived from these histogram parameters by the Classification and Regression Trees (CART) computer program. Estimates generated by the algorithm for image analysis/immunocytochemical analysis had a 90% concordance with the enzyme immunoassay values. We conclude that quantitative immunocytochemical results for estrogen and progesterone receptor content in formalinfixed, paraffin-embedded tissue can be generated using image analysis.Abstract The number of tests available for the prognostication of patients with breast cancer, (e.g., estrogen and progesterone receptor, DNA ploidy, % S-phase analysis, HER-2/neu, EGFR, p53, cathepsin D, pS2, PCNA, etc.) is staggering. Many published studies statistically prove the prognostic significance for each independent test, but the situation becomes confusing and empirical for the clinician making a decision for a particular patient, particularly when test utilization and cost considerations must be weighed into the equation. Other factors such as the pathological stage, histological grade, vascular and lymphatic invasion, and the age and wishes of the patient should all be taken into consideration in arriving at the optimal treatment protocol. We have applied a Bayesian probability approach to published data in order to derive a branched tree algorithm to predict the survival rates for both lymph node-positive and lymph node-negative women with breast cancer. Specimen quality and test results suggested which subsequent tests were most clinically useful. The size of the algorithm was reduced to minimize the number of tests requested and thus reduce costs. This type of analysis is necessary to ensure that the most information is obtained at the lowest cost, and serves as a model for other diagnostic situations. 0 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Rhabdoid Meningioma: Clinical Features and MR Imaging Findings in 15 Patients

“…The female predominance in meningiomas might be because of sex hormones, and progesterone may play an important role in the development, growth, and regression of meningiomas. 16 Actually, progesterone receptor positivity has been reported to negatively correlate with tumor grade by many authors. [16][17][18][19] In other words, there is a reduction of progesterone receptors from WHO grade I to grade II and a progesterone receptor negativity in WHO grade III tumors.…”

“…16 Actually, progesterone receptor positivity has been reported to negatively correlate with tumor grade by many authors. [16][17][18][19] In other words, there is a reduction of progesterone receptors from WHO grade I to grade II and a progesterone receptor negativity in WHO grade III tumors. [16][17][18][19] The reason why RM presents similarly to benign meningioma is not clear.…”

“…[16][17][18][19] In other words, there is a reduction of progesterone receptors from WHO grade I to grade II and a progesterone receptor negativity in WHO grade III tumors. [16][17][18][19] The reason why RM presents similarly to benign meningioma is not clear. However, this may be because of the fact that the rhabdoid morphology can only present in a part of the tumor, though most RMs have high A B C Fig 1. A 64-year-old woman presenting with memory disturbances.…”

Application of Photoshop-based Image Analysis to Quantification of Hormone Receptor Expression in Breast Cancer

“…However, most of these scoring systems are cumbersome to perform and are still subject to high interobserver variability. To provide more standardized data for the quantification of immunocytochemical studies, diverse computerized image analysis systems have been employed and were found to correlate well with semiquantitative histological scoring methods and with biochemical data (Sklarew et al 1990;Baddoura et al 1991;el-Badawy et al 1991;Aziz 1992;Santeusanio et al 1992;Auger et al 1993). However, the high cost and the complexity of these image analysis systems, requiring major hardware and software investments, severely limit their practicability in the routine diagnostic laboratory.…”

Datamining Approach for Automation of Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in Immunohistochemically Stained Tissue Microarray Images

“…To provide more standardized data for the quantification, diverse computerized image analysis systems have been employed and were found to correlate well with semi quantitative histological scoring methods and with biochemical data [36][37][38]. However, these suffer from high cost and complexity due to the need for software and specific hardware investments.…”