Flow cytometric S-phase fraction measurement in breast carcinoma: Influence of software and histogram resolution.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

S-phase fraction (SPF) measurement by flow cytometry is a clinically useful prognostic factor in patients with breast carcinoma. Standardized SPF determination is essential. As part of a multicenter study, we evaluated the influence of the choice of software and histogram resolution (256, 512, or 1,024 channels) on SPF quantification.

METHODS:

One hundred thirty-three DNA histograms were analyzed in three laboratories with Modfit 5.2, Modfit LT, and Multicycle AV software. Strict rules for histogram interpretation and software management were applied. The following five options were compared: MF 5.2 1024, MF 5.2 256, MF LT 256, MC AV 256, and MC AV 512.

RESULTS:

In the DNA diploid and aneuploid groups, SPF distributions were not statistically different among the five options. Excellent quantitative correlations were obtained between pairs of options. When using tertiles as cutpoints for SPF classification, concordance rates ranged from 79.7% to 93.2% for DNA diploid samples and from 87.8% to 95.9% for DNA aneuploid samples, the best results being obtained with software working with a similar histogram resolution.

CONCLUSIONS:

Standardized use of commercially available software, including the choice of histogram resolution, provides comparable SPF results.

• Authors: Marie-Lise Jourdan, Magali Ferrero-Poüs, Frédérique Spyratos, Sylvie Romain, Pierre-Marie Martin, Agnès Chassevent
• Journal: Cytometry (Cytometry) Vol. 48 Issue 2 Pg. 66-70 (Jun 01 2002) ISSN: 0196-4763 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12116366 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Chemical References

• DNA, Neoplasm

Topics

• Breast Neoplasms (pathology)
• Carcinoma (pathology)
• DNA, Neoplasm (analysis)
• Female
• Flow Cytometry (methods, standards)
• Humans
• Ploidies
• Prognosis
• Reproducibility of Results
• S Phase
• Software Design