Validation of tissue microarray technology in endometrioid cancer of the endometrium

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 60; no. 5; pp. 500 - 503
• Main Authors: Fons, Guus, Hasibuan, Siti M, van der Velden, Jacobus, ten Kate, Fiebo J W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.05.2007; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Antigens; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Biopsy; Carcinoma, Endometrioid - metabolism; Carcinoma, Endometrioid - pathology; EMA; Endometrial cancer; Endometrial Neoplasms - metabolism; Endometrial Neoplasms - pathology; epithelial membrane antigen; Female; Female genital diseases; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Morphology; Mucin-1 - metabolism; Neoplasm Proteins - metabolism; Original; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; progesterone receptor; Protein expression; Receptors, Estrogen - metabolism; Receptors, Progesterone - metabolism; Reproducibility of Results; Rodents; Statistical analysis; Tissue Array Analysis - methods; tissue microarray; TMA; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 - metabolism; Tumors; Validation; Anatomic pathology; Endometrium cancer; Technology; Tissue microarrays; Uterine diseases; Malignant tumor; Female genital diseases
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2006.040170

Aim: To validate tissue microarray (TMA) for endometrial cancer by comparing immunohistochemical staining results of triplicate core biopsies on TMA with the results of full-section analysis. Methods: The study material consisted of slides and selected tissue blocks of 41 patients with endometrioid cancer of the endometrium. A TMA was constructed. Both the TMA and the slides were stained with the same antibodies against progesterone receptor (PR), oestrogen receptor, p53 and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). Concordance between results was expressed as the κ statistic. Results: Concordance between the staining results of TMA and whole slides was good for PR (κ = 0.69), oestrogen receptor (κ = 0.78), p53 (κ = 0.81) and EMA (κ = 0.72). Concordance between the results on TMA and slides depends on the number of assessable cores per tumour. Three assessable cores per case result in outcomes that are at least 94% similar to those achieved using conventional tissue sections with a two-class scoring system. This is independent of focal or diffuse staining patterns. Conclusion: TMA is a useful tool for further analysis of the molecular pathways in endometrial cancer. The effect of selection has to be taken into account when the prognostic value of protein expression on TMA is determined.