Immunocytochemical examination of PTEN and Ki-67 for endometrial carcinoma using thin-layer endometrial preparations

The current study is designed to evaluate certain immunocytochemical(ICC)biomarkers to gain a better cytodiagnosis.For this purpose,85 patients from March 2016 to March 2019 who planned to get a hysteroscopy assay were recruited.Cytological sampling was conducted by scratching the uterus cavity using SAP-1,and the samples were processed as liquid-based smears,using SurePath technology.36 patients diagnosed with EC or atypical endometrial hyperplasia were recruited in this study.33 cases were diagnosed with EC,and 3 cases were diagnosed with atypical endometrial hyperplasia,allocated with EC or precancerous lesions group.26 cases were diagnosed with benign lesions group.Among these cases,9 cases were diagnosed with endometrial simple hyperplasia,2 cases were diagnosed with complicated hyperplasia,5 cases were diagnosed with an irregular proliferation of endometrium and 10 cases were diagnosed with endometrial polyps.There were 23 cases in the healthy group.Staining in thin-layer endometrial preparations by ICC and using H-score or counting the percentage of stained cells.The presentation of PTEN in normal endometrium,benign lesions,and EC/precancerous lesions were different(p<0.01).Taking the cut-off value of 50(Youden’s index:0.698)PTEN expression for the diagnosis of EC/precancerous lesion,the sensitivity and specificity were 83.7%and 86.1%.The presentation of Ki-67 in normal endometrium,benign lesions,and EC/precancerous lesions were different(p<0.01).Taking the cut-off value of 15%(Youden’s index:0.76)Ki-67 expression for the diagnosis of EC/precancerous lesion,the sensitivity and specificity were 94.4%and 81.6%.In this study,the use of different cut-off values for Ki-67 and PTEN helped differentiate endometrial lesions.Immunocytochemistry in the ECT detection of PTEN and Ki-67 can improve the diagnostic capabilities of endometrial cancer and precancerous lesions.