Validation of tissue microarray technology in breast carcinoma.

Author(s): Camp RL, Charette LA, Rimm DL

Publication: Lab Invest, 2000, Vol. 80, Page 1943-9

PubMed ID: 11140706 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of storage (at 18-37 degrees C) and using tissue microarrays rather than whole-sections for IHC staining of breast carcinoma specimens.

   Summary of Findings:

   For 35 out of 36 cases where a minimum of 2 scorable disks were present on the microarray, microarray ER analysis agreed with whole-section IHC results. The one discrepant case was borderline-negative (5% staining) by whole-section IHC and averaged as ER-positive from the tissue microarray (28% staining). Discrepant results were also obtained for PR and HER2 expression between whole-section IHC and microarray analysis in 1 of 35 and 1 of 34 cases, respectively. For seven specimens (3 ER, 2 PR, and 2 HER2), discrepant results were obtained between cores taken from the periphery of the tumor and those taken from the center, suggesting both types of cores should be analyzed for an accurate representation of the whole specimen. Analysis of just one disk per specimen matched whole-section IHC staining 90% of the time while analysis of 2 disks matched whole-section IHC results greater than 95% of the time. ER, PR, and HER2 staining was observed in specimens stored for up to 68 years. A significant decrease in the percentage of ER positive specimens was seen in the cohort stored for 59-68 y. However, the authors note that they could not determine whether storage affected the stability of ER as the specimens from that decade may happen to be truly ER negative. Interestingly, nuclear DAPI staining was decreased in specimens stored for more than 48 y.

   Biospecimens

   • Tissue - Breast

   Preservative Types

   • Formalin

   Diagnoses:

   • Neoplastic - Carcinoma

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Protein	Immunohistochemistry
   Protein	Tissue microarray
   Morphology	Fluorescent microscopy

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Aliquot size/volume	2 disks 3 disks 4 disks 5 disks 6 disks 7 disks 8 disks 9 disks 10 disks
   Immunohistochemistry Specific	Targeted peptide/protein	ER PR HER2 Cytokeratin Ki-67
   Tissue microarray Specific	Targeted peptide/protein	ER PR HER2 Cytokeratin Ki-67
   Storage	Storage duration	1 y 2-8 y 9-18 y 19-28 y 29-38 y 39-48 y 49-58 y 59-68 y
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Type of slide	Whole tissue section Tissue microarray section
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Biospecimen heterogeneity	Biospecimen core Biospecimen periphery

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