Is ERG1 a better choice for assessing LVI than CD31 and D240?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
ERG1 is a better choice of antibody for assessing lymphovascular invasion in a variety of tissue types than CD31 and D240 which are current best practice choices for Pathologists at Milton Keynes University Hospital.
IRAS ID
330046
Contact name
Samantha Edensor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Greenwich
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 1 months, 0 days
Research summary
Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) describes the presence of tumour cells in the blood or lymph vessels. It is an important indicator of diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. At current the antibodies used to assess LVI at Milton Keynes University Hospital are CD31 and D240. Both are membranous stains that are not highly specific with stromal areas often staining. Previous studies have highlighted interobserver variability in interpretation which leads to the question, could there be a better antibody out there?
ERG has grown in popularity over the last decade, presenting a highly specific nuclear staining pattern of endothelial cells. It is easier to interpret, as it is highly specific leaving less room for error or discrepancy. It can be used as a stand alone antibody to assess LVI, saving time and costs.In this research, 50 cases are selected of varying tissue types that were diagnosed as positive for LVI. Cases will be stained with CD31, D240 and ERG. Resulting slides will be scored based on percentage positive staining and intensity, similar to the Allred scoring system for ER. The results can be statistically analysed to determine if staining is comparable or perhaps improved. While previous studies have demonstrated the value of ERG for LVI assessment, none have applied this to typical routine laboratory work to review the use in typical day to day working.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/YH/0207
Date of REC Opinion
19 Oct 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion