A comparison of Ki67 index in carcinoma breast by digital image analysis with manual method

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Original Article

Author Details : Parineetha V Shetty, Sandhya I*, Keerthana Prasad, Purnima S Rao, Meethu Rappai

Volume : 6, Issue : 4, Year : 2019

Article Page : 548-551

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijpo.2019.107

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Abstract

Introduction: Ki67 labeling index (LI) for breast carcinoma is essential for the therapy. It is done by visual
assessment under the microscope which is subjective, hence has limitations of inter-observer variability. A
standardized method for evaluating Ki67 LI is necessary due to reduce subjectivity and improve precision.
Hence automated Digital Image Analysis (DIA) has been attempted as one of the potential methods for
evaluating Ki67 index.
Materials and Methods: 48 cases of invasive breast carcinoma were included in this study. Ki67
immunostaining was carried out on paraffin embedded sections of all cases. Visual assessment (VA) of
Ki67 index was carried out and images of Ki67 stained slides were obtained under a magnification of
40X. The mean value of two observers was considered as final visual assessment scores. The images
were processed using Tissue Quant software to pick up positively stained areas. The area and count of the
positively stained regions were obtained. Statistical analysis by calculating kappa value was performed to
check the agreement between DIA and visual assessment.
Results: Out of 48 cases, 40 cases showed substantial agreement between DIA and visual analysis
established by calculating kappa value (0.636).
Conclusion: DIA is an emerging and competitive alternative for biomarker evaluation in breast cancer and
can be effectively put in use for clinical practice to obtain precise results.

Keywords: Ki67, Digital Image Analysis, Breast cancer.

How to cite : Shetty P V, Sandhya I, Prasad K, Rao P S, Rappai M , A comparison of Ki67 index in carcinoma breast by digital image analysis with manual method. Indian J Pathol Oncol 2019;6(4):548-551

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