Statistical considerations in the methodology of quantifying immunocompetent cells in tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify immunocompetent cell (IC) density for different testicular tumors and antibodies and to verify if the results of the comparisons depend on the antibody used.


METHODS
T-lymphocytes were studied with CD3 and UCHL1 antibodies and macrophages with MAC387 and CD68 in 43 patients with seminomas, mature teratomas, immature teratomas and embryonal carcinomas of the testis. Counts were expressed as number of IC per square millimeter.


RESULTS
Use of different antibodies produced significant differences in the IC cell number; moreover, in the case of macrophages, the tumor type sequence by increasing cell number was different according to the antibody used.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest the existence of a statistical interaction between the type of tumor and antibody.
Casanova
J F
JF
Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain.
Torres
A
A
Martínez-García
F
F
Hardisson
D
D
Nistal
M
M
Regadera
J
J
D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D018236:Carcinoma, Embryonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D019044:Image Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D018239:Seminoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D013724:Teratoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm