Immunocytochemical (ICK) reactions are used for detection of cellular antigens with specific primary antybodies on fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) samples, effusions, disintegrated lymph nodes tissue samples and other cytological samples. Samples for additional ICK staining can be prepared by cytocentrifuge (cytospins) or by liquid-based cytology (LBC) specimen slide processors. The aim of the study was to compare the efficiency of ICK staining on cytospins and slides prepared from LBC samples stored in three different transport media: CytoRich Red, CytoRich Blue and SurePath, and prepared by BD Totalys SlidePrep slide processor. In the first part of the study, we tested the ICK determination of estrogen receptor (ER) and cytokeratin AE1/AE on the MCF-7 cell line cytospins and LBC slides. Based on the results, we choose CytoRich Red transport medium for further experiments. In the second part of the study, the expression of 8 biomarkers (ER, CK AE1/AE3, calretinin, MOC-31, LCA (CD45), TTF-1, MM cocktail, p40) was determined immunocytochemically on 10 cytological samples . The results of ICK staining were evaluated by four evaluators. Reaction (percentage of stained cells), staining intensity, cell morphology, contrast, and nonspecific background were evaluated. Comparison of results of ICK reactions on cytospins (C) and on BD Totalys SlidePrep-prepared preparations (BD) was performed. We did not prove statistically significant differences in ICK reactions between C and BD in most cases, so we conclude that LBC sampes stored in CytoRich Red and prepared by BD Totalys Slide Prep slide processor are suitable for routine ICK staining.
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