bcl-2 automated and quantitative immunocytochemical assays in breast carcinomas: correlation with 10-year follow-up.

Authors:
  • SGS Garcia
    S Garcia
  • PBP Bonnier
    P Bonnier
  • FMF Martini
    F Martini
  • LAL Andrac
    L Andrac
  • NHN Horschowski
    N Horschowski
  • MLM N Lavaut
    M N Lavaut
  • CAC Allasia
    C Allasia
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Abstract
PURPOSEbcl-2 protein is detectable in human cancers and may be involved in the response to antineoplastic drugs or endocrine therapy in breast carcinomas. In a previous study, we had developed optimal technical conditions for bcl-2 immunodetection. The aim of the present report was to determine the prognostic significance of bcl-2 expression in breast carinomas by the use of a similar immunocytochemical procedure.METHODSbcl-2 immunocytochemical assays were performed on frozen sections by automated immunoperoxidase technique (Ventana) and computer-assisted analysis of digitized colored microscopic images (SAMBA) in a series of 170 breast carcinomas. The results of automated quantitative immunocytochemical assays were correlated with patient follow-up (120 months).RESULTSIntense bcl-2 immunocytochemical expression in tumors (cutpoint, 15%) significantly correlated with longer disease-free survival and longer recurrence-free survival in the entire cohort of patients (P = .028 and P = .035, respectively) and ...