Free Web-Based ImmunoRatio Tool Reliably Automates Ki-67 Scoring in Breast Cancer
Evaluating the free internet-based image analysis tool ImmunoRatio in 577 breast cancer cases, researchers found excellent concordance with manual Ki-67 counting (kappa 0.881 at the 20% cut-off). High Ki-67 scores determined by ImmunoRatio were associated with poor overall survival, particularly in hormone receptor-positive patients. The tool offers an accessible, reproducible alternative to subjective manual assessment for clinical Ki-67 labelling index determination.
The original study
Clinical usefulness of the free web-based image analysis application ImmunoRatio for assessment of Ki-67 labelling index in breast cancer.
- Authors
- Yeo MK, Kim HE, Kim SH, Chae BJ, Song BJ, Lee A
- Journal
- Journal of clinical pathology
- Type
- Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Validation Study
- PMID
- 28298390
Original abstract
AIMS: Ki-67 is a prognostic marker in breast cancer; however, the use of the Ki-67 labelling index (LI) in clinical practice requires a consistent and easily accessible scoring method. The present study evaluated the use of the free internet-based image analysis program ImmunoRatio to score Ki-67 LI in breast cancer in comparison with manual counting. METHODS: Ki-67 immunohistochemical detection was performed in 577 breast cancer cases, and the Ki-67 LI was determined by ImmunoRatio and manual counting. RESULTS: The Ki-67 LI determined by ImmunoRatio correlated well with that obtained by manual counting. The concordance rate between ImmunoRatio and manual counting was excellent (κ coefficient of 0.881) at a Ki-67 LI cut-off value of 20%. Cases with high Ki-67 LI by ImmunoRatio were associated with poor overall survival, in particular in the hormone receptor positive group. CONCLUSIONS: The web-based automated image analysis program ImmunoRatio is an attractive alternative to manual counting to determine the Ki-67 LI in breast cancer.