Quantitative study of KI-67 antibody staining in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas using image analysis.
In sections from 32 B malignant lymphomas (ML), the total KI-67 stained area was compared to the number of KI-67 positive cells in order to demonstrate the reliability of using image analysis to quantify the proliferative activity. The total KI-67 area percentage correlated highly with the number of KI-67 positive cellular profiles (r = .93). Significant differences were found between low- and high-grade ML according to the Kiel classification (mean values +/- SD, respectively, of 7.7 +/- 3.81% and 16.6 +/- 6.23%), and between low-, or intermediate- and high-grade ML only, according to the International Working Formulation. Within the Working Formulation, the statistical analysis grouped the diffuse large cell subtype of intermediate grade with the immunoblastic high-grade subtype. A wide range of KI-67 area percentage values was noted, particularly in follicular ML; for these follicular ML, considering follicular areas only, values were comparable to high-grade ML (14.8 +/- 6.60%). In conclusion, the KI-67 area percentage is a reliable alternative method to manual cell counting, and image analysis allows quicker measurements appropriate to large and strictly lymphomatous areas, using a greater number of cells than in manual cell counting.
Caulet
S
S
Department of Pathology Jacques Delarue, Hotel-Dieu, Paris, France.
Lesty
C
C
Raphael
M
M
Binet
J L
JL
Diebold
J
J
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001706:Biopsy; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal