The Ki-67 protein is associated with cellular proliferation, and the protein is present in the nucleus of all cells that are in the active phase of the cell cycle, but absent in resting cells, see [1]. The cell proliferation rate can be assessed by Ki-67-immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and this can be correlated to the tumor grade and the clinical course, see [2].
This protocol can be used to assess tumors by determining the Ki-67 positivity.
Two serial sections stained for Ki-67 and CK5, respectively, must be used in this APP. Tumor regions are identified automatically on the CK5 stained slides using the VirtualDoubleStaining™ technique, and the outlined tumor regions are overlaid on the Ki-67 stained slide, thus automatically identifying tumor regions.