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Titrimetric immunohistochemical evaluation of DNA hypomethylation in uterine tumours
  1. M Wolk,
  2. J E Martin
  1. Queen Mary University of London, Barts & The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, ICMS Core Pathology, Pathology and Pharmacy Building, The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr M Wolk, Tarshish St 14, PO Box 4710, Ma’ale-Adumim 98451, Israel; wolk1{at}bezeqint.net

Abstract

Background: Global DNA hypomethylation is a well established feature of many common cancers.

Aims: To establish a simple semi-quantitative, titrimetric immunohistochemical method in order to exploit this trait for prognostic purposes, in uterine cancers.

Methods: A monoclonal antibody against 5-methylcytidine was used for immunohistochemical staining of methylated DNA in tumour cells. The degree of methylated DNA in the tumour tissue was visually compared and matched to that of normal tissues stained by serial decreasing concentrations of antibody to 5-methylcytidine.

Results: Using this method a significant correlation was found between the histological stage and the reduction in DNA methylation in uterine adenocarcinoma (n = 39) and uterine squamous cell carcinoma (n = 23).

Conclusions: A simple titrimetric immunohistochemical method has been developed for quantitative evaluation of ligands. This method should be further employed in follow-up studies, in order to establish the prognostic value of DNA hypomethylation in uterine cancer.

https://doi.org/10.1136/jcp.2009.066613

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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests None.

    • Ethics approval Ethics approval was obtained.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.