Computer-assisted image analysis of breast fine needle aspiration in a randomized chemoprevention trial of fenretinide vs. placebo in HRT users.
BACKGROUND
Digital nuclear morphometric analysis can capture subtle differences along neoplastic progression. Studies showed different profiles from normal to cancer lesions. Our goal is to utilize this method as biomarker in chemoprevention trials.


METHODS
Postmenopausal women were randomized to oral (CEE) or transdermal (E2) estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in association with fenretinide or placebo. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) was performed at baseline and after 12 months in a subset of subjects.


RESULTS
Ten samples were analyzed by karyometry. E2 compared with CEE increased nuclear area (p=0.01). A similar pattern was observed for other DNA content and chromatin texture features. Fenretinide vs. placebo, increased nuclear area and shape while decreased slope, peak and entropy.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary results indicate that nuclear morphometry is feasible on FNA samples. ERT and fenretinide induced significant karyometric changes. These results support further investigation of this procedure as surrogate biomarker in chemoprevention trial.
Serrano
Davide
D
Division of Chemoprevention, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. davide.serrano@ieo.it
Gandini
Sara
S
Mariani
Luigi
L
Bonanni
Bernardo
B
Santinelli
Alfredo
A
Guerrieri-Gonzaga
Aliana
A
Pelosi
Giuseppe
G
Cassano
Enrico
E
Montironi
Rodolfo
R
Decensi
Andrea
A
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D001940:Breast / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D018890:Chemoprevention / Q000379:methods*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D017313:Fenretinide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007620:Karyometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D017313:Fenretinide; D004958:Estradiol