Comparative Study of Ki-۶۷ Labeling Index Quantification by Eye-rolling, Manual Count, and Digital Image Analysis; An Approach with Caution

Background & Objective: An accurate Ki-۶۷ labeling index assessment is critical for managing a few tumors, like breast carcinomas and neuroendocrine tumors. We aimed to determine the degree of agreement between digital image analysis (DIA) & eye-rolling assessment (EE) and DIA & manual count (MC) for Ki-۶۷ LI scoring.Methods: A total of ۱۲۰ cases (Both tru-cut biopsies and resected specimens) were selected during the study period from the institutional database wherein the Ki-۶۷ labeling index was performed. The selected cases were divided into two groups, i.e., breast neoplasms and other neoplasms. The correlation between DIA & EE and DIA & MC for Ki-۶۷ LI scoring was calculated in both groups.Results: A total of ۱۱۳ cases were analyzed for Ki-۶۷ LI by three different methods (EE, MC, & DIA); ۷ cases were rejected because of poor image quality. Ki-۶۷ LI scoring by DIA & EE was highly correlated in both the study groups with a Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of ۰.۸۰۹ (P=۰.۰۱) and ۰.۹۰۴ (P=۰.۰۱), respectively. Correlation between DIA & MC methods was also found to be almost perfect in both study groups with a Spearman's rank correlation coefficient of ۰.۹۷۴ (P=۰.۰۱) and ۰.۹۵۵ (P=۰.۰۱), respectively.Conclusion: ImmunoRatio is a free web-based digital image analysis application that can be used for Ki-۶۷ LI assessment with considerable reliability and reproducibility. Yet, it carries a few limitations and demands a careful approach and final confirmation by an expert.

کلیدواژه ها:

Eye-rolling estimation ، Ki-۶۷ labeling index ، Digital image analysis ، Manual count