[A simple method for flow cytometric measurement of Ki-67 reactive antigen on small solid tissues]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Context:

• Ki-67 monoclonal antibody is crucial for assessing tumor cell proliferation and malignancy.
• Traditional methods rely on microscopic observation of immunostained sections.
• Flow cytometry offers quantitative analysis but faces challenges with solid tissue cell preparation.

Purpose:

• To develop a simplified and efficient method for flow cytometric analysis of Ki-67 antigen expression in small solid tumor tissues.
• To overcome the limitations of preparing single-cell suspensions from solid tissues for flow cytometry.
• To enable more accessible and widespread use of flow cytometry for Ki-67 assessment in oncology.

Summary:

• A novel, straightforward protocol for flow cytometric measurement of Ki-67 reactive antigen in solid tumors is described.
• Key steps involve utilizing Triton X-100 for effective cell dispersion and implementing a washless staining technique.
• This method facilitates the analysis of numerous suspended cells from small tissue samples, suitable for flow cytometry.

Impact:

• Enhances the ability to quantitatively assess tumor cell proliferation using flow cytometry.
• Provides a practical solution for analyzing Ki-67 expression in challenging solid tumor samples.
• Potentially improves diagnostic accuracy and treatment monitoring for various cancers through precise proliferation evaluation.