Validation of tissue microarray immunohistochemistry staining and interpretation in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Tissue microarrays (TMAs) show concordance with whole tissue sections in the immunohistochemical evaluation of tumor cells. However, potential inter-institutional variability among observers and immunohistochemical staining methods has not been fully addressed. We selected 21 cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) to process for TMAs. Immunohistochemical stains were performed in 3 laboratories, and reviewed independently by 3 hematopathologists at the 3 institutions. Stains were scored on a 4-point scale. Statistical analyses of variation in the scoring among observers and among different institutions' stains were performed. Stains for CD3, CD10, CD20, BCL-2, BCL-6, MIB-1, and FOX-P1 revealed little variation among observers, with an average 51-82% complete agreement and 82-100% agreement ± 1 numerical score. The rate of concordance when evaluating most stains performed in different laboratories was also relatively good, with an average of 55-72% complete agreement and 70-97% agreement ± 1 score. However, scoring of MUM-1 and p53 stains showed wider variation, with an average of only 37 and 30% complete agreement among observers, and 11 and 45% agreement when stains from different institutions were examined. Further statistical analyses were performed to compare the observers' scoring of their own institution's stains (self-review) vs. observers' scoring of other institutions' stains (non-self). The agreement rate for the p53 stain was significantly higher when based on self-review (average 58% complete agreement) compared with an agreement rate of only 10.5% when based on a review of stains performed in another laboratory, non-self review, P < 0.01. This difference in the self- vs. non-self review was not seen when data for MUM-1 were analysed. In conclusion, most phenotypic markers used in the analysis of DLBCL can be evaluated in TMAs with adequate agreement among observers and laboratories. These include CD3, CD20, CD10, BCL-2, BCL-6, MIB-1, and FOX-P1. However, some markers, such as p53 and MUM-1, are more prone to inter-institutional variation. Variations in interpretation can be partially overcome by self-adjusted/adapt tendency, as seen with p53. Especially with newly developed markers, such as MUM-1, the development of standardized techniques for staining and interpretation is critical to reduce inter-observer variability.