Correlation between apoptotic figure counting and the TUNEL technique.
OBJECTIVE
To compare histologic detection of apoptotic (AP) figures and terminal transferase UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) detection in colorectal carcinomas and lymphomas.


METHODS
We evaluated the percentage of AP cells by AP figure counting and by the TUNEL technique in formalin-paraffin material from 39 tumors--29 colorectal carcinomas and 10 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The Lucia G image analysis system (Laboratory Imaging, Prague, Czech Republic) was used for cellularity evaluation and AP counting.


RESULTS
On average, 0.81 +/- 0.5% AP cells were detected by figure counting; 0.91 +/- 0.35% were identified by TUNEL. A statistically high correlation between these techniques was found using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r = .56, P < .001). TUNEL, although probably more sensitive, was difficult to standardize.


CONCLUSIONS
AP figure counting seems to be the method of choice for routine work, particularly because of its cost effectiveness and reproducibility.
Vagunda
V
V
Department of Pathology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic. vagunda@mou.cz
Kalabis
J
J
Vagundová
M
M
D017209:Apoptosis; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure