Correlation between apoptotic figure counting and the TUNEL technique

OBJECTIVE: To compare histologic detection of apoptotic (AP) figures ans te rminal transferase UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) detection in colorectal ca rcinomas and lymphomas. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated the percentage of AP cells by AP figure counting and by the TUNEL technique in formalin-paraffin material from 39 tumors-29 colorectal carcinomas and 10 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The Lucia G image an alysis system (Laboratory Imaging, Prague, Czech Republic) was used cellula rity evaluation and AP counting. RESULTS: On average, 0.81 +/- 0.5% AP cells were detected by figure countin g; 0.91 +/- 0.35% were identified by TUNEL. A statistically high correlatio n between these techniques was found using Pearson's correlation coefficien t (r = .56, P < .001). TUNEL, although probably more sensitive, was difficu lt to standardize. CONCLUSION: AP figure counting seems to be the method of choice for routine work, particularly because of it's cost effectiveness and reproducibility.