High-content imaging in cervical cancer screening

J Biomol Screen. 2013 Jan;18(1):135-42. doi: 10.1177/1087057112459748. Epub 2012 Sep 12.

Abstract

A shift from conventional cytology to a molecular approach could improve cervical cancer screening. This proof-of-concept study aims to develop a high-content imaging platform for the simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers for cervical disease. Liquid-based cytology (LBC) samples were used to optimize a dual ProExC/Ki-67 immunofluorescence staining protocol for SurePath-fixed cells. The simultaneous and automated detection of these biomarkers was performed using the BD Pathway 435 system. The ability of high-content imaging to detect dysplastic cervical cells was assessed using keratinocytes spiked with immunopositive SiHa cells and a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) LBC sample. The percentages of Ki-67- and ProExC-immunopositive objects correlated significantly with the percentages of spiked SiHa cells. The dysplastic cells of the HSIL sample could be detected using high-content cell analysis. In conclusion, high-content imaging allows the simultaneous and automated detection of Ki-67- and ProExC-immunopositive dysplastic cells in LBC specimens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods
  • Early Detection of Cancer / methods*
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Ki-67 Antigen / metabolism
  • Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 2
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Reference Standards
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / diagnosis*
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • MCM2 protein, human
  • Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 2
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type II