Abstract: A method and system for automated detection of immunohistochemical (IHC) patterns. The method and system is able to automatically differentiate an epithelial cell part from a non-epithelial cell part of a digital image of a tissue sample to which an IHC compound has been applied. The method and system help to automatically correct errors made in a manual interpretation of a pathological or other manual analysis of tissue samples for diseases such as a human cancer.

Abstract: A method and system for automated quantitation of tissue micro-array image (TMA) digital analysis. The method and system automatically analyze a digital image of a TMA with plural TMA cores created using a needle to biopsy or other techniques to create standard histologic sections and placing the resulting needle cores into TMA. The automated analysis allows a medical conclusion such as a medical diagnosis or medical prognosis (e.g., for a human cancer) to be automatically determined. The method and system provides reliable automatic TMA core gridding and automated TMA core boundary detection including detection of overlapping or touching TMA cores on a grid.

Abstract: A method and system for automated quantitation of tissue micro-array image (TMA) digital analysis. The method and system automatically analyze a digital image of a TMA with plural TMA cores created using a needle to biopsy or other techniques to create standard histologic sections and placing the resulting needle cores into TMA. The automated analysis allows a medical conclusion such as a medical diagnosis or medical prognosis (e.g., for a human cancer) to be automatically determined. The method and system provides reliable automatic TMA core gridding and automated TMA core boundary detection including detection of overlapping or touching TMA cores on a grid.

Abstract: A method and system for automated detection of immunohistochemical (IHC) patterns. The method and system is able to automatically differentiate an epithelial cell part from a non-epithelial cell part of a digital image of a tissue sample to which an IHC compound has been applied. The method and system help to automatically correct errors made in a manual interpretation of a pathological or other manual analysis of tissue samples for diseases such as a human cancer.

Abstract: A method and system for automated quantitation of tissue micro-array image (TMA) digital analysis. The method and system automatically analyze a digital image of a TMA with plural TMA cores created using a needle to biopsy or other techniques to create standard histologic sections and placing the resulting needle cores into TMA. The automated analysis allows a medical conclusion such as a medical diagnosis or medical prognosis (e.g., for a human cancer) to be automatically determined. The method and system provides reliable automatic TMA core gridding and automated TMA core boundary detection including detection of overlapping or touching TMA cores on a grid.

Abstract: A method and system for morphology based mitosis identification and classification of digital images. Luminance parameters such as intensity, etc. from a digital image of a biological sample (e.g., tissue cells) to which a chemical compound (e.g., a marker dye) has been applied are analyzed and corrected if necessary. Morphological parameters (e.g., size, elongation ratio, parallelism, boundary roughness, convex hull shape, etc.) from individual components within the biological sample are analyzed. A medical conclusion (e.g., type and count of mitotic cells) or a life science and biotechnology experiment conclusion is determined from the analyzed luminance and morphological parameters. The method and system may be used to develop applications for automatically obtaining a medical diagnosis (e.g., a carcinoma diagnosis).

Abstract: A method and system for automated detection of immunohistochemical (IHC) patterns. The method and system is able to automatically differentiate an epithelial cell part from a non-epithelial cell part of a digital image of a tissue sample to which an IHC compound has been applied. The method and system help to automatically correct errors made in a manual interpretation of a pathological or other manual analysis of tissue samples for diseases such as a human cancer.

Abstract: A method and system of ascertaining diagnostic information concerning a pathological specimen over a network is disclosed. The method comprises transmitting a digitized image of a pathological specimen to central location, and then receiving diagnostic information from the central location concerning the pathological specimen after an analysis of the digitized image has been performed at the central location.

Abstract: The present invention provides feline transplantable lung carcinoma xenografts and cell lines. Such xenografts and cell lines exhibit a number of unique characteristics which allows their use in experimental models of carcinoma in order to dissect out the molecular basis of this phenotype. This experimental model of carcinoma can be used to identify molecular targets for therapeutic intervention and to assess the efficacy of a broad spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Specific animal models of lung cancer are described as well as methods for evaluating diagnostic and therapeutic agents for treating lung cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides human transplantable inflammatory breast carcinoma xenografts. Such xenografts exhibit a number of unique characteristics which allows their use in experimental models of inflammatory carcinoma in order to dissect out the molecular basis of this phenotype. This experimental model of inflammatory carcinoma can be used to identify molecular targets for therapeutic intervention and to assess the efficacy of a broad spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Specific animal models of inflammatory breast cancer are described as well as methods for evaluating diagnostic and therapeutic agents for treating inflammatory breast cancer. Methods for identifying molecules whose expression is modulated in inflammatory breast cancer are provided. In addition, methods for diagnosing and inhibiting the growth of inflammatory breast cancer metastases in vivo are provided.

Abstract: Methods for performing medical procedures within the duct of a breast are described. An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes the steps of introducing a guiding member into a breast duct; introducing and positioning a member having an internal lumen in the breast duct; introducing a wash fluid into the breast duct through the internal lumen; removing washings from the breast duct through the internal lumen; and collecting the washings for cytological analysis.

Abstract: A method and system of ascertaining diagnostic information concerning a pathological specimen over a network is disclosed. The method comprises transmitting a digitized image of a pathological specimen to central location, and then receiving diagnostic information from the central location concerning the pathological specimen after an analysis of the digitized image has been performed at the central location.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the selective transduction of a cell in a ductal system in a mammary gland by contacting, via ductal cannulation, the cell with a vector that selectively targets the cell. In this context, the invention provides prophylactic and therapeutic methods of treating the ductal epithelium of the breast, for disease, in particular cancer. The present invention further provides diagnostic methods of determining the presence of disease in the ductal epithelium of the breast, in particular cancer.

Abstract: Methods for performing medical procedures within the duct of a breast are described. An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes the steps of introducing a guiding member into a breast duct; introducing and positioning a member having an internal lumen in the breast duct; introducing a wash fluid into the breast duct through the internal lumen; removing washings from the breast duct through the internal lumen; and collecting the washings for cytological analysis.

Abstract: Methods for performing medical procedures within the duct of a breast are described. An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes the steps of introducing a guiding member into a breast duct; introducing and positioning a member having an internal lumen in the breast duct; introducing a wash fluid into the breast duct through the internal lumen; removing washings from the breast duct through the internal lumen; and collecting the washings for cytological analysis.

Abstract: Methods, kits, and apparatus for locating, labelling, and accessing breast ducts are described. An orifice to one or more ductal networks is marked to enhance visibility. In a first embodiment, the orifice is labelled using a specific binding substance, typically an antibody, specific for a tissue marker present on the orifice. Exemplary tissue markers include those present on the ductal epithelium, such as cytokeratins, including cytokeratin 8 and cytokeratin 18; cadhedrins, such as E cadhedrin; and epithelial membrane antigens. In a second embodiment, a dye is injected into the base of the nipple and preferentially accumulates at at least some of the orifices. Other marking techniques are also described. Marking of the ductal orifices permits reliable identification and access to each of the multiple ductal networks which may be present in an individual breast.

Abstract: Methods, kits, and apparatus for locating, labelling, and accessing breast ducts are described. An orifice to one or more ductal networks is marked to enhance visibility. In a first embodiment, the orifice is labelled using a specific binding substance, typically an antibody, specific for a tissue marker present on the orifice. Exemplary tissue markers include those present on the ductal epithelium, such as cytokeratins, including cytokeratin 8 and cytokeratin 18; cadhedrins, such as E cadhedrin; and epithelial membrane antigens. In a second embodiment, a dye is injected into the base of the nipple and preferentially accumulates at at least some of the orifices. Other marking techniques are also described. Marking of the ductal orifices permits reliable identification and access to each of the multiple ductal networks which may be present in an individual breast.

Abstract: Methods, kits, and apparatus for locating, labelling, and accessing breast ducts are described. An orifice to one or more ductal networks is labelled using a specific binding substance, typically an antibody, specific for a tissue marker present on the orifice. Exemplary tissue markers include those present on the ductal epithelium, such as cytokeratins, including cytokeratin 8 and cytokeratin 18; E cadhedrin; and epithelial membrane antigen. Labelling of the ductal orifices permits reliable identification and access to each of the multiple ductal networks which may be present in an individual breast.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the culture of human primary carcinomas and in situ carcinomas. Feeder layers derived from a human parotid basal cell carcinoma, having the HMS-1 phenotype, are able to support the growth of the primary carcinomas, and allow for spheroid formation. Invasion inhibiting factors active against human tumors, derived from HMS-1, are also provided.Human basement membrane and extracellular matrix is provided, produced by a tumorigenic cell line, where the basement membrane and extracellular matrix can be used for the growth of a variety of cells, in culture and in vivo. Other related cell lines are provided, which can serve to evaluate in vivo the response of tumorigenic cells to various agents, including basement membrane and extracellular matrix. The basement membrane and extracellular matrix finds use in allowing the growth of cells in culture and in vivo, particularly cells which are otherwise refractory to xenografting.

Abstract: Human basement membrane matrix is provided, produced by a novel tumorigenic cell line, where the basement membrane can be used for the growth of a variety of cells, in culture and in vivo. Other cell lines are provided, which may serve to evaluate in vivo the response of tumorigenic cells to various agents, including basement membrane. The basement membrane finds use in allowing the growth of cells in culture and in vivo, particularly cells which are otherwise refractory to xenografting.