Comparison between morphometry and immunostaining of malignant cells in non-small cell lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the morphometric properties of tumor cells in combination with the expression of 5 immunomarkers, quantitatively evaluated by image analysis, in a series of 60 non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs) and to assess their prognostic significance.


METHODS
Tissue sections from 60 NSCLCs were assessed for the expression of p53, Ki-67, bcl-2, bax and FasL using immunohistochemistry and antibodies. Correlations between morphometric features and clinicopathologic variables, including overall survival and the expression of the above markers, were statistically investigated.


RESULTS
Major and minor axis nuclear values, as well as nuclear area and perimeter values, were positively interrelated. No statistically significant correlations were observed between nuclear morphometry and any of the clinicopathologic parameters. p53 Accumulation, when quantitatively estimated, displayed a positive correlation with major axis (P = .008), minor axis (P = .06), nuclear perimeter (P = .006) and mainly nuclear area values (P = .003). Bcl-2- and bax-quantified immunostaining demonstrated a weak negative correlation with shape factor values (P = .039 and P = .025, respectively). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that stage was the only significant predictor of survival in all patients. In univariate statistical analysis there was a trend between worse survival and shape factor values < 0.8 (P = .0791); this trend almost reached statistical significance in the subgroup of squamous cell carcinomas (P = .0570).


CONCLUSIONS
p53 Accumulation, when quantified, appears to be positively linked with nuclear morphometric values. The prognostic significance of shape factor in NSCLC warrants further investigation.
Politi
Ekaterini N
EN
Department of Cytopathology, Aretaieion Hospital. cytology@aretaieio.uor.gr
Lazaris
Andreas C
AC
Kavantzas
Nikolaos
N
Koutselini
Helen
H
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D001699:Biometry; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000737:chemistry / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary*; D002467:Cell Nucleus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015996:Survival Rate
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins