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A flow cytometric study of the significance of DNA aneuploidy in cutaneous lesions
Author(s) -
NEWTON JULIA A.,
CAMPLEJOHN R.S.,
MCGIBBON D.H.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1987.tb04113.x
Subject(s) - aneuploidy , flow cytometry , pathology , dna , chromosome , biology , medicine , dermatology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene
SUMMARY Aneuploidy has not to date been demonstrated in any entirely benign condition and thus is held to be implicit of neoplasia. DNA flow cytometry can be used to detect DNA aneuploidy rapidly. A technique has been developed to make possible flow cytometric analysis of formalin‐fixed skin. The technique was validated by study of benign and pre‐malignant dermatoses. Further studies were performed on skin conditions of questionable malignant potential. DNA aneuploidy was demonstrated in lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. Flow cytometry was unable to distinguish keratoacanthomas from squamous cell carcinomas. Cells which contain an abnormal number of chromosomes are said to be aneuploid. They may contain less DNA than the normal so‐called ‘diploid’ cells and these are called‘hypodiploid'. They may contain more DNA and are then called‘hyperdiploid'. The DNA status is best expressed as the DNA index. This figure indicates the quantity of DNA in the aneuploid cells in relation to that in normal diploid cells. A DNA index of 1.0 would therefore signify the presence of only diploid cells and an index of 1.9 would indicate almost tetraploid aneuploid cells. Aneuploidy is common in tumours. DNA aneuploidy, the presence of abnormal quantities of DNA detected by flow cytometry (FCM), is presumptive of aneuploidy and has been demonstrated in 80–90% of solid tumours. 1 In our laboratory DNA aneuploidy has been demonstrated by FCM in 70% of 399 solid tumours. It has also been seen in a number of pre‐malignant conditions such as chronic atrophic gastritis. 2 Except for tetraploid stemlines, normal or reactive tissue is not associated with aneuploidy. 1 Aneuploidy is thus held to be implicit of neoplasia. 3 It was decided to investigate the significance of DNA aneuploidy in skin disease to determine if indeed DNA aneuploidy is specific to malignant and pre‐malignant dermatoses and to determine if detection of DNA aneuploidy could be used to predict the outcome in conditions of debateable pre‐malignancy.