Table 2

Advantages and disadvantages of 3,3′-diaminobenzidine and quantum dot quantitative immunohistochemistry

3,3′-Diaminobenzidine stainingQuantum dot staining
AdvantagesDisadvantagesAdvantagesDisadvantages

  • Automated staining technique in widespread clinical use:

  • ▶reduced need for technician input

  • ▶quick

  • ▶reduced slide to slide variability

  • Only one stain per slide:

  • ▶slower slide analysis time

  • Multiplex staining per slide:

  • ▶fast slide analysis time

  • Laborious staining technique that must be carried out manually:

  • ▶needs trained technician

  • ▶slow

  • ▶great slide-to-slide variability

  • Development of automated technique would require development of new equipment

CheapTheoretical non-linear relationship between antigen quantity and signal intensityTheoretical linear relationship between antigen quantity and signal intensityExpensive
Easier to locate tumour and normal tissue in bright-field microscopy, thus requiring reduced technician input for analysisMore difficult to locate tumour and normal tissue in fluorescence microscopy, thus requiring increased technician input for analysis