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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Heterogeneity Mapping of Protein Expression in Tumors using Quantitative Immunofluorescence
Published on: October 25, 2011
DNA heterogeneity in prostatic adenocarcinoma. A DNA flow cytometric mapping study with whole organ sections of
F P O'Malley1, D J Grignon, M Keeney
1Department of Pathology, Victoria Hospital, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Background:
The degree of DNA heterogeneity varies between tumors arising at different sites. The presence of a significant degree of variability within a given tumor may result in problems in the interpretation of DNA flow cytometric findings. This study evaluated the degree of DNA heterogeneity in prostatic adenocarcinoma.
Methods:
A total of 122 3-mm punch biopsy specimens were evaluated from single representative whole organ sections from nine cases of prostate cancer (range, 4-18 samples per case; mean, 12 samples; median, 14 samples). Individual punch biopsy specimens were graded and reviewed to confirm the presence of carcinoma and processed for DNA ploidy analysis.
Results:
Assessable histograms, defined as having a coefficient of variation of the diploid G0/G1 peak of 7.5% or less, were available for 111 (91%) of the samples. Of the nine cases studied, five (56%) showed heterogeneity in the DNA pattern (diploid plus aneuploid, n = 1; diploid plus tetraploid, n = 2; and diploid plus tetraploid plus aneuploid, n = 2). All four cases having a homogeneous DNA content were DNA diploid in all samples. In those cases with a heterogeneous pattern, the areas having abnormal DNA patterns could not be predicted by histologic pattern or grade.
Conclusions:
From this study, the authors conclude that a significant degree of DNA heterogeneity exists within individual cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma, and this may be an important confounding factor in DNA ploidy studies.
