Image analysis of HER2 immunohistochemical staining. Reproducibility and concordance with fluorescence in situ hybridization of a laboratory-validated scoring technique

Am J Clin Pathol. 2012 Feb;137(2):270-6. doi: 10.1309/AJCP9MKNLHQNK2ZX.

Abstract

Image analysis of the HER2 immunohistochemical (IHC) stain can help determine which breast cancer patients may benefit from HER2-targeted therapy. We studied the concordance of HER2 IHC and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) as well as reproducibility of surgical pathologist (SP) and cytotechnologist (CT) interpretations using manual and image analysis methodologies on 154 IHC cases. Concordances with FISH were good for IHC negative (0, 1+) cases (range, 97%-100%) and positive (3+) cases (range, 87%-100%). Image analysis had fewer equivocal (2+) results (10.4%) than CT (14.9%) and SP (16.2%) manual methods, with higher concordances to FISH (31%, 26%, and 20% for image analysis, CT manual, and SP manual, respectively). CT manual (κ = 0.747) and image analysis (κ = 0.779) methods had better interobserver reproducibility than SP manual (κ = 0.697). CT image analysis had better intraobserver reproducibility (κ = 0.882) than CT (κ = 0.828) and SP (κ = 0.766) manual methods. HER2 IHC analysis performed by image analysis can produce accurate results with improved reproducibility.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • DNA, Neoplasm / analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / standards
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Middle Aged
  • Observer Variation
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Trastuzumab
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Trastuzumab