Anastasia Alataki1,2, Lila Zabaglo1,2, Holly Tovey3, Andrew Dodson1, Mitch Dowsett1,2. 1. Ralph Lauren Centre for Breast Cancer Research, Royal Marsden Hospital and The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK. 2. The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK. 3. Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
Abstract
AIMS: Ki67 is a well-established immunohistochemical marker associated with cell proliferation that has prognostic and predictive value in breast cancer. Quantitative evaluation of Ki67 is traditionally performed by assessing stained tissue slides with light microscopy. Automated image analysis systems have become available and, if validated, could provide greater standardisation and improved precision of Ki67 scoring. Here, we aimed to evaluate the use of the Cognition Master Professional Suite (CogM) image analysis software, which is a simple system for scoring Ki67 in primary breast cancer samples. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sections from 94 core-cut biopsies, 20 excision specimens and 29 pairs of core-cut biopsies and excision specimens were stained for Ki67 with MIB1 antibody and the Dako EnVision FLEX Detection System. Stained slides were scanned to convert them to digital data. Computer-based Ki67 scoring was performed with CogM. Manual Ki67 scoring assessment was conducted on previously stained sections from the same biopsies with a clinically validated system that had been calibrated against the risk of recurrence. A high correlation between manual and digital scores was observed [rCores = 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87-0.94, P < 0.0001; rExcisions = 0.95, 95% CI 0.86-0.98, P < 0.0001] and there was no significant bias between them (P = 0.45). There was also a high correlation of Ki67 scores between paired core-cut biopsies and excision specimens when CogM was used (r = 0.78, 95% CI 0.59-0.89, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: CogM image analysis allows for standardised automated Ki67 scoring that accurately replicates previously clinically validated and calibrated manual scores.
AIMS: Ki67 is a well-established immunohistochemical marker associated with cell proliferation that has prognostic and predictive value in breast cancer. Quantitative evaluation of Ki67 is traditionally performed by assessing stained tissue slides with light microscopy. Automated image analysis systems have become available and, if validated, could provide greater standardisation and improved precision of Ki67 scoring. Here, we aimed to evaluate the use of the Cognition Master Professional Suite (CogM) image analysis software, which is a simple system for scoring Ki67 in primary breast cancer samples. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sections from 94 core-cut biopsies, 20 excision specimens and 29 pairs of core-cut biopsies and excision specimens were stained for Ki67 with MIB1 antibody and the Dako EnVision FLEX Detection System. Stained slides were scanned to convert them to digital data. Computer-based Ki67 scoring was performed with CogM. Manual Ki67 scoring assessment was conducted on previously stained sections from the same biopsies with a clinically validated system that had been calibrated against the risk of recurrence. A high correlation between manual and digital scores was observed [rCores = 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87-0.94, P < 0.0001; rExcisions = 0.95, 95% CI 0.86-0.98, P < 0.0001] and there was no significant bias between them (P = 0.45). There was also a high correlation of Ki67 scores between paired core-cut biopsies and excision specimens when CogM was used (r = 0.78, 95% CI 0.59-0.89, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: CogM image analysis allows for standardised automated Ki67 scoring that accurately replicates previously clinically validated and calibrated manual scores.
Authors: Claudio Luchini; Liron Pantanowitz; Volkan Adsay; Sylvia L Asa; Pietro Antonini; Ilaria Girolami; Nicola Veronese; Alessia Nottegar; Sara Cingarlini; Luca Landoni; Lodewijk A Brosens; Anna V Verschuur; Paola Mattiolo; Antonio Pea; Andrea Mafficini; Michele Milella; Muhammad K Niazi; Metin N Gurcan; Albino Eccher; Ian A Cree; Aldo Scarpa Journal: Mod Pathol Date: 2022-03-05 Impact factor: 8.209