Interference of O.C.T. embedding compound with hormone receptor assays.

Author(s): Muensch H, Maslow WC

Publication: Am J Clin Pathol, 1984, Vol. 82, Page 89-92

PubMed ID: 6741878 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine if OCT embedding compound can interfere with the receptor binding assays for ER and PR. ER and PR binding was quantified by the dextran charcoal method. Breast tumor specimens were divided and embedded in OCT or left untreated before being snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -70 degrees C until analysis.

   Summary of Findings:

   Although statistical significance was not assessed and between patient variability was high, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) binding were reduced in all 22 breast tumor biopsies embedded in OCT prior to snap-freezing compared to un-embedded case-matched controls. The magnitude of difference in mean Bmax values was greater for PR (OCT-embedded=10.6 fmol/mg , un-embedded control=109.6 fmol/mg) than ER (OCT-embedded=141.2 fmol/mg, un-embedded control=173.5 fmol/mg). OCT compound also induced an artifactual increase in color formation during the Lowry protein assay, as albumin standards that contained 4% OCT had a 20-25% higher absorption than those that did not.

   Biospecimens

   • Tissue - Breast

   Preservative Types

   • OCT
   • Frozen

   Diagnoses:

   • Neoplastic - Carcinoma

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Protein	Receptor binding

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Biospecimen Preservation	Type of fixation/preservation	Snap frozen OCT
   Receptor binding Specific	Targeted peptide/protein	ER PR

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