title: The Multi-Center Morphometric Mammary Carcinoma Project (MMMCP) in The Netherlands: value of morphometrically assessed proliferation and differentiation.
abstract: The Multi-Center Morphometric Mammary Carcinoma Project (MMMCP) was set up to investigate the reproducibility and prognostic value of routine assessments of morphometric parameters [mean nuclear area (MNA), mitotic activity index (MAI), and multivariate prognostic index (MPI)] and cytometric features (DNA ploidy and index, % S-phase cells, as well as other cell cycle data) in comparison with classical prognostic parameters and steroid receptors. Thirty-four hospitals in six geographic regions participated. In 1988-1989, 3427 patients entered the study and morphometric assessments were made. An interim (1993) survival analysis indicated that MAI, MNA, and MPI are the strongest predictors of outcome. A Phase III randomized prospective multi-center trial [Premenopausal Morphometric Intervention Study (PREMIS)] using these endpoints was initiated in Europe to evaluate adjuvant [cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (CMF)] chemotherapy versus observation in morphometrically high risk (i.e., MAI > 10), premenopausal, lymph node negative (LN-) breast cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Baak
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: van Diest
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Benraadt
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matze-Cok
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brugghe
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Schuurmans
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Littooy
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008938:Mitosis; D008940:Mitotic Index; D009426:Netherlands; D011379:Prognosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index