Comparison of Automated and Conventional IHC Visual Scoring Analysis for MHC Class I and Tapasin Expression in Cervical Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer (CXCA) is the second most common cancer among women in Thailand and worldwide. Immune evasion caused by down-regulation of host immune responsive genes, such as MHC class I and loss of antigen processing machinery (APM), presents a capability leading to cancer development. Immunohistochemical staining (HC) is regarded as a common technique for protein marker detection in clinical laboratories. At present, IHC automation has been launched to facilitate the speed and feasibility to replace conventional IHC. However, evaluation of its use is still limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate IHC scoring by automated visual analysis compared to conventional IHC analysis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The paraffin-embedded tissues of 96 invasive CXCA were processed using a tissue microarray (TMA) platform followed by automated IHC staining of the anti-MHC class I (heavy chain, ß2M) and an APM-Tapasin expression. Conventional IHC and automated slide scanning with scoring visual analysis were compared. RESULTS: The results showed significant association between conventional and automated IHC evaluation (p-value > 0.05, Chi-square) for MHC class I and Tapasin stated in percentage of positive cancer cells, whereas intensity was found (p-value < 0.05, Chi-square) with moderate agreement (p-value < 0.001, kappa) 0.434-0.615 and 0.353-0.554, respectively. After calculated values, the results showed significant association between conventional and automated IHC evaluation (p-value > 0.05, Chi-square) for MHC class I and Tapasin with the highest agreement level (p-value < 0.001, kappa) of summation 0.595-0.755 and multiply scoring 0.633-0.689, respectively. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The automation softwarefor IHC scoring and interpretation can be used for the determination of MHC class I and Tapasin in CXCA. In addition, an antigen presentation pattern must be included to allow an accurate result for MHC class I in clinical use. An appropriate sample size and design of staging coverage as well as clinical prognosis outcomes of progression should be used infurther investigation.

Prognostic factors of human papillomavirus genotypes of invasive cervical carcinoma: an analytical cross-sectional study in lower north-east Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer (CXCA) caused by persistent infections by high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) can lead to multi-step carcinogenesis. The best management strategy and significant prognosis for cervical cancer patients remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations of the two most common HR-HPVs with clinical outcomes of progression and recurrence status as well as prognosis outcomes of patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An analytical cross-sectional study of patients registered at Ubon Ratchathani Cancer Hospital was conducted from 2007 to 2010. Clinical data, histopathological features, and clinical outcomes of progression and recurrence status were recorded. HPV type-specific E6/E7 nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (NMPCR) was performed to identify HR-HPV16 and 18 using extracted deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from embedded paraffin. Clinical findings and HPV genotypes were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. Association studies of crucial factors and HR-HPV genotypes were performed using logistic regression analysis (odds ratio [OR]) and 95% confidence interval [CI]). A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study found single HPV16 infection in 57.3%, single HPV18 in 17.3%, mixed HR-HPV16/18 in 13.1%, and non-HPV16, 18, or 16/18 in 12.3%. The findings showed significant association among their genotypes and histopathological types and grading (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.014). Clinical outcomes of progression and recurrence status with increased severity of clinical staging were associated significantly (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002). HPV18 type-specific was shown as a poor prognostic type with its relevance to the severity of disease higher than that of HPV16. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: HPV16 and 18 remain the major type-specifics especially in relation to invasive CXCA, requiring further therapeutic vaccination study and proper prognosis. HR-HPV type-specific is very important during cervical carcinogenesis but other crucial contributing factors for prognostic outcomes should be further elucidated.