We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Aggressive Breast Cancer Identified with Fluorescent Technique

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 21 Jul 2016
Print article
Image: The new BRIM technology enables pathologists to identify whether a DCIS is aggressive or not. In this image of a DCIS sample, the biomarkers CD44hi/CD24lo, reveals intraductal cells of aggressive cancer that are highlighted (Photo courtesy of University of Michigan Health System).
Image: The new BRIM technology enables pathologists to identify whether a DCIS is aggressive or not. In this image of a DCIS sample, the biomarkers CD44hi/CD24lo, reveals intraductal cells of aggressive cancer that are highlighted (Photo courtesy of University of Michigan Health System).
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast is the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer and in DCIS, epithelial cells proliferate within ducts, which are surrounded by a double layer of myoepithelial cells and basement membranes.

Although epidemiological studies propose aggressive and non-aggressive forms of ductal DCIS, they cannot be identified with conventional histopathology and because of this, to be safe, most patients undergo aggressive treatment.

Scientists at the University of Michigan Medical School (Ann Arbor, MI, USA) used a new method, called biomarker ratio imaging microscopy (BRIM), to evaluate the co-expression of biomarkers correlating and anti-correlating with breast cancer aggressiveness in a retrospective study of DCIS samples. BRIM combines traditional microscope techniques that pathologists use to examine tissue with mathematical analysis. The technique compares levels of different biomarkers, which can be seen as different fluorescent colors in stained tissue under a microscope.

Fluorescence microscopy was performed using a TE2000-U inverted microscope (Nikon, Melville, NY, USA) and an Andor iXon camera (Andor Technology, Belfast, UK) with 100 W mercury lamp. The investigators looked at biopsy tissue samples from 23 patients with DCIS. They used fluorescent imaging, where the tissue samples are stained, to identify key biomarkers. Each biomarker was stained a different color. They then entered the images of the stained tissue samples into a computer that calculated the levels of different biomarkers in each pixel. In cancer, some biomarkers are present in high levels while others are less prolific. BRIM uses the ratio of these different levels to form an image of improved contrast.

The BRIM method found 22% of the samples had low ratios of cancer versus non-cancer biomarkers, suggesting those lesions were very slow-growing and non-aggressive. They note that an advantage of BRIM is that it uses several biomarkers rather than relying on only one. They decided which biomarkers to use after an extensive literature search. The authors concluded that the ability to stratify DCIS lesions and to identify potentially non-aggressive and aggressive lesions raises important issues in addressing overtreatment in breast cancer. BRIM is particularly attractive because it could be integrated into clinical pathology practices. Moreover, this approach may be useful in the cytologic study of aspirates in breast cancer and in peritoneal fluids in ovarian cancer. The study was published on June 1, 2016, in the journal Scientific Reports.

Related Links:
University of Michigan Medical School
Nikon
Andor Technology
Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
Gold Member
ADAMTS-13 Protease Activity Test
ATS-13 Activity Assay

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.