Table 4 Summary of publications evaluating antigenicity quality

Quantitative IF (AQUA score)

ER, HER2, Ki-67, CK

Storage time

IF signal decreases 10% in 4–8 years depending on the marker

Breast

[65]

Increased marker: 95th percentile of slope for n = M is higher than 0

CIT

Labile and loss of antigenicity within 1–2 h of CIT

Breast

[66]

Decreased marker: 95th percentile of slope for n = M is lower than 0

No changes in marker: 95% CI for the slope with both n = M and n = 10 × M Including the zero slope

Trend up/trend down: 95% CI for the slope with n = 10 × M not including it

Cytokeratin, pERK1/2 and pHSP-27 expression

CIT

Negative TQI values (as indicator of loss of tissue quality) for increasing CIT

Breast

[67]

IHC

Vimentin

Fixation

–

Melanoma

[68]

ER and PgR

Fixation, slicing, storage of slides

Samples for ER and PgR testing are fixed in 10% NBF for 6 to 72 h. CIT < 1 h. Samples should be sliced at 5-mm intervals. Storage of slides for more than 6 weeks before analysis is not recommended

Breast

[69]

P-p27

–

–

–

[70]

SNRPA and SnRNP70 H-score

Fixation

H-score < 60 as a cut off for positive signal

Breast

[71]

MAP2

Fixation, slicing and storage

Decrease of MAP2 immunoreactivity in unfixed and in delayed-fixed

Rat brain

[72]

Actin, desmin and progesterone receptor staining

Storage time

Consistent staining over 18 years

Mesenchyme

[63]