Effect of Prolonged Formalin Fixation on the Immunohistochemical Reactivity of Breast Markers

Author(s): Arber Daniel A

Publication: Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morph, 2002, Vol. 10, Page 183

PubMed ID: 12051639 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   To determine if prolonged formalin fixation affects the efficacy of immunohistochemical staining for the following breast cancer markers: estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), c-erb-B2, Ki-67, p27, and vimentin.

   Summary of Findings:

   The immunoreactivity of ER, PR, and c-erb-B2 were significantly reduced after prolonged formalin fixation. Of the 33 cases examined, 8 displayed reduced immunostaining with prolonged fixation. Specifically, 3 of the 23 positive cases for ER overexpression displayed a significant reduction in staining after 57, 58, and 64 days of formalin fixation. Of the 21 positive cases of PR 1 displayed a significant reduction in staining after fixation for 120 days, and of the 9 positive cases for c-erb-B2 4 displayed a significant reduction in immunostaining after 20, 42, 99, and 120 days of fixation. Ki-67, p27, and vimentin expression were observed in all samples for all fixation times.

   Biospecimens

   • Tissue - Breast

   Preservative Types

   • Formalin

   Diagnoses:

   • Neoplastic - Carcinoma

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Protein	Immunohistochemistry

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Biospecimen Preservation	Time in fixative	7-154 days 24 h

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