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Updated: May 16, 2026
A Next-generation Tissue Microarray (ngTMA) Protocol for Biomarker Studies
Published on: September 23, 2014
Tissue microarray technology and findings for diagnostic immunohistochemistry
1Department of Anatomical Pathology, Pathology Queensland-The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, Queensland, Australia. anthony_van_Zwieten@health.qld.gov.au
Insights
Tissue microarray (TMA) technology is valid for diagnostic immunohistochemistry (IHC) quality control. This method effectively serves as a universal positive control, aiding pathologists and scientists in IHC staining interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Histopathology
- Diagnostic Pathology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is crucial for accurate cancer diagnosis.
- Standardization and quality control in IHC are essential for reliable results.
- Tissue microarray (TMA) technology offers a method for high-throughput tissue analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the validity and viability of tissue microarray (TMA) technology for diagnostic immunohistochemistry (IHC).
- To assess TMA as a quality control tool in a single laboratory setting.
Main Methods:
- Performed IHC using 57 primary antibodies on a TMA block with 89 cores of duplicate tissue specimens.
- Interpreted IHC staining by a histology scientist, with pathologist consultation.
- Conducted a literature review for unexpected immunoreactivity.
Main Results:
- 55 of 57 antibodies showed expected positive staining, correlating with original paraffin blocks.
- Duplicate cores on the TMA demonstrated 98% correlation with original tissue blocks.
- Observed some instances of unexpected positive immunoreactivity.
Conclusions:
- Tissue microarray (TMA) technology is effective for diagnostic IHC laboratories.
- TMA can function as a universal positive multiple tissue control block for routine IHC.
- TMA provides valuable data for improving IHC staining interpretation by scientists and pathologists.
Aims:
This study was undertaken to determine the validity and viability of tissue microarray (TMA) technology in assessing diagnostic immunohistochemistry (IHC) at a single laboratory site.
Methods:
IHC using 57 primary antibodies was performed on a TMA paraffin block containing 89 cores of duplicate previously identified 1 mm diameter tissue specimens. IHC was interpreted by a histology scientist with IHC experience, with pathologist assistance if required. Review of the literature was performed to investigate cases of unexpected immunoreactivity.
Results:
55 of 57 antibodies had expected positive staining against the TMA tissue panel that correlated with the original paraffin blocks. Immunostaining of duplicate 1 mm cores correlated with the originally sourced paraffin block in 42 of 43 (98%) tissue types. Some antibodies had unexpected positive immunoreactivity.
Discussion:
TMA technology can be utilised effectively in the diagnostic IHC laboratory as a universal positive multiple tissue control block for routine IHC, and can provide valuable information for the benefit of histology scientists and pathologists with respect to interpretation of IHC staining.
