REMOTE QUANTITATION SERVER FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE IN DNA-PLOIDY ANALYSIS

OBJECTIVE: To remotely test a stepwise framework of quality control me asures, developed according to the consensus on diagnositc DNA image c ytometry, in two series of measurements by means of the quantitation s erver EUROQUANT. STUDY DESIGN: In each of these series, 104 fine needl e aspiration biopsies, imprints from breast cancer specimens and 28 ra t liver imprints were measured twice at two different cytometry workst ations. Further measurements on special mt liver specimens for evaluat ion of the stability of the machinery and of the preparation process w ere done at both workstations. Afterwards the measurement data from bo th machines were transferred to the quantitation server and analyzed a utomatically. Beside the classical DNA histograms, a set further evalu ations was performed to detect optical errors as well as homogeneities in the measurements. Running values for mean integrated optical densi ty values, mean corrective factors and mean coefficients of variations of corrective factors were computed to control the stability of the e ntire methodology over time. RESULTS: The study demonstrated the preco nditions and outcome of server-based quality control in DNA ploidy ana lysis. The results show that such a remote analysis is feasible and co mparable to local DNA ploidy analysis. It is also demonstrated how qua lity control tests reflect the process performance of ploidy analysis at its different levels. CONCLUSION: Quality control must be an inhere nt part of the daily routine to allow a reliable diagnostic interpreta tion and ensure steadily high product quality.