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has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Standardized Assessment of Ki-67 in Breast Cancer Patients Using Virtual Slides and an Automated Analyzer in Comparison to Central/Local Pathological Assessments

  AUTHORS: Yoshio Mizuno, Hiromi Fuchikami, Tsuneo Natori, Naoko Takeda, Yuko Inoue, Junichi Yamada, Hiroaki Abe, Hiroshi Seto, Kazuhiko Sato

  KEYWORDS: Ki-67; Core Needle Biopsy; Concordance Rate; Virtual Slides; Automated Analyzer; Standardized Assessment

  JOURNAL NAME: Journal of Cancer Therapy, Vol.5 No.2, February 10, 2014

  ABSTRACT: Purpose: To standardize the methods to measure Ki-67, there is an interest in automating the assessment of Ki-67. Therefore, we reviewed the possibility of introducing an automated analyzer to standardize the Ki-67 evaluation method. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a clinical database of patients who underwent surgery for early breast cancer at Tokyo-West Tokushukai Hospital. Among them, those who underwent preoperative core needle biopsy (CNB) were enrolled. The concordance rates of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and Ki-67 by local pathologists were reviewed (valuations made by local pathologists), and nonmatching cases (from August 2008 to October 2011) were reassessed both by central review and using an automated analyzer with virtual slides. The results were compared with the evaluations made by local pathologists, and we reexamined the concordance rate by using central review and the automated analyzer. Results: The concordance rate of Ki-67 evaluations made by local pathologists in the preoperative CNB and surgical specimens was 78.7% in 287 cases pathologically assessed from October 2008 to March 2013. This rate was significantly lower (p in clear improvement in matching of 22 (92.1%) and 24 (93.1%) of 37 cases, respectively. Conclusion: The concordance rate of Ki-67 in preoperative CNB and surgical specimens was lower than that of other biological markers; however, they were nearly equal by reassessment using central review and an automated analyzer.