title: Image analysis of DNA content and nuclear morphometry for predicting radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship among nuclear DNA content, nuclear morphology, clinical response, and radiosensitivity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the suitability of image cytometric analysis of DNA content and nuclear morphology for predicting radiosensitivity of NPC prior to radiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nuclear DNA content and morphology features were detected by image cytometric analysis in 51 biopsy specimens of NPC prior to radiotherapy. The radiotherapeutic effect experienced by the NPC patients was classified as CR (complete response [i.e., complete tumor disappearance]) and PR (partial response [i.e., residual tumor]) according to pathologic analysis of tumor specimens after completion of the scheduled treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean DNA index; the percentage of cells with the DNA pattern of 2C, 5C, aneuploidy respectively; the mean nuclear area; the mean nuclear perimeter and the mean nuclear diameter in the CR group were significantly higher than they were in the PR group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DNA content and nuclear morphometry by image cytometric analysis were significantly correlated with patient outcome and radiosensitivity of NPC. Other measurements of more biomarkers for predicting the radiosensitivity of NPC await further study.
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Inflammation Research Institute, Key Immunopathology Laboratory of Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Maohuai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Mingyao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xianying
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D007633:Keratins