Influence of sample size on image cytometry of DNA ploidy measurements

OBJECTIVE: To assess the number of nuclei required for significant image cy tometry DNA ploidy measurements on one archival case of breast cancer. STUDY DESIGN: From one case of aneuploid DNA breast cancer, 18 subsets mane up of 152-1,524 for the whole population of undamaged nuclei and made up o f 74-735 epithelial nuclei had DNA measured. DNA ploidy type and five DNA p loidy indices, allowing DNA ploidy histogram interpretation were evaluated on each population. RESULTS: Three hundred nuclei were always sufficient for DNA typing, wherea s reliable results for DNA ploidy indices required at least 750 nuclei. CONCLUSION: To DNA measure the above number of nuclei, fully automated imag e cytometry DNA ploidy measurements are required.