Prognostic molecular markers in resected extrahepatic biliary tract cancers; a systematic review and meta-analysis of immunohistochemically detected biomarkers.

Unlabelled: Better prognostic information for resected extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma could guide treatment strategies and potentially improve outcome. This study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify prognostic biomarkers for further investigation.

Methods: Relevant literature was identified using Medline, EMBASE and Web of Science.

Immunohistochemical measurement of endothelial cell apoptosis and proliferation in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human cancer tissue.

There is a need for simple, reproducible methodology for measurement of endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis and proliferation in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human tissue obtained in clinical trials of potential anti-angiogenic agents. Therefore, we developed colorimetric, dual-label immunohistochemical techniques for use on FFPE tissue, based on the use of single-stranded (ss) DNA and Ki-67 as markers of EC apoptosis and proliferation, respectively. Digital image analysis was used to obtain the total tumour microvessel density (MVD), from which the EC apoptosis index (AI) and proliferation index (PI) were derived manually as the number of positive ECs per vessel.