A comparative analysis of two antigen retrieval techniques: Microwave oven and pressure cooker for immunoexpression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer tissue

Objectives: Antigen retrieval (AR) is an important step in Immunohistochemistry (IHC) which used to unmask the antigenic sites and facilitate antigen-antibody binding. Adequate fixation of tissue necessary achieve consistent demonstration antigens that can be masked by chemical process involved formalin processing. Out various methods AR, heat-induced epitope (HIER) have greatly improved quality reproducibility IHC. In this study, a comparison two most commonly HIER methods-pressure cooker microwave oven was done on thirty cases breast carcinoma. Methods: Appropriate tumor sections were taken subjected manual IHC testing for estrogen receptor (ER) progesterone (PR) receptors each case. The results divided into technique microscopy-based. parameters assessed microscopy uniformity nuclear staining, internal control presence background Allred score. sensitivity specificity positive negative predictive values method calculated. Results: comparable both methods. Using oven, ER PR 94% 100%, respectively. pressure cooker, sensitivity, respectively, 88% On technical aspects, offers advantage being more convenient due possibility simultaneous handling slides time efficient. Conclusions: Both AR had microscopy. However, has benefit money efficient from standpoint.