Immunocytochemical determination of estrogen and
progesterone receptors in breast cancer using "Thin prep processor"
I.S. Kostopoulos1, P. W-L Kwan2
1Pathology Department School
of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki,
GREECE
2Pathology Department NEMC, Tufts
University, School of Medicine, Boston MA, USA
The objective of this study is to develop an appropriate protocol
of fixation in "Thin Prep" cytologic sample preparations from
breast cancer for adequate immuno-cytochemical localization of
ER/PR. Suspensions of MCF-7 BUS cultured cells, an estrogen sensitive
human breast cancer cell line, were used to prepare a large series
of Thin Prep slides. A part of slides subjected to a second fixation
step using different fixatives as formalin/methanol/acetone or
formalin only, while a third part of slides has not subjected
any previous fixation step. A heat induced epitope retrieval step
greatly enhanced the staining for the receptors. In summary, it
appears that the second fixation step in formalin/methanol/ acetone
and the heating procedure in citrate buffer permitt a better qualitative
and quantitative immunocytochemical evaluation of hormonal status.
Once the cytologic sample was in the preservative solution,
secondary fixation can be carried out up to seven days later without
any damage on the cells. This protocol described here can be easily
extended to clinical settings including fine needle aspirations
and "brush preps" from breast tumors.
Key words: Thin Prep, MCF-7 BUS cultured cells, estrogen
receptors, progesterone receptors, immunocytochemistry.
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