Browsing by Author "Wannume, Henry"

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    Quantitative expression of estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 and their correlation with immunohistochemistry in breast cancer at Uganda Cancer Institute
    (Public Library of Science, 2025-01) Wannume, Henry; Niyonzima, Nixon; Kalungi, Sam; Okuni, Julius Boniface; Okecha, Tonny; Kakungulu, Edward; Kiwuwa, Steven Mpungu; Waiswa, Geoffrey; Kadhumbula, Sylvester; Namayanja, Monica; Nabwana, Martin; Orem, Jackson
    The detection of Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR), and Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) is important for the stratification of breast cancer and the selection of therapeutic modalities. This study aimed to determine the quantitative expression of ER, PR and HER-2 using Immunohistochemistry and their correlation with quantitative baseline Ct values measured using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). This study also assessed the use of fresh breast tissue biopsies preserved in RNAlater solution in the quantitative detection of these receptors using PCR technique. The study evaluated 20 matched formalin fixed paraffin embedded and RNAlater preserved samples for ER, PR, and HER-2 using IHC and quantitative PCR technique. One portion of the breast tissue biopsy was fixed immediately in 10% neutral buffered formalin and another was preserved in RNAlater. After the histological confirmation of breast cancer by the H&E technique, formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues (FFPE)—positive cases were matched with their corresponding RNAlater samples for IHC and qPCR. The extracted RNA was quantified using Nanodrop technology, resulting into complementary DNA. ER and PR using IHC were expressed in 60% (n = 12) of the study samples and were negative in 40% (n = 8) of samples. HER-2 was negative in 70% (n = 14) of study samples, 25% (n = 5) positive, and 5% (n = 1) equivocal. With the quantitative expression of ER, PR, and HER-2 being reported in the IHC triple—negative breast cancer cases. The mean Ct values for the hormonal receptors correlated with what has been previously studied with ER at 19.631, PR at 25.410 and HER-2 at 25.695. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean Ct values of RNAlater and FFPE with their P-values being 0.9919, 0.0896 and < 0.0001 for ER, PR, and HER-2 respectively. P-values; 0.9919 and 0.0896 for ER and PR respectively being greater than 0.05 it’s a borderline significance although HER-2 had a statistical significance. With a concordance in the detection of these breast cancer hormonal receptors, qPCR can be used in our setting considering the delays that may be associated in following the samples through IHC processing.
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    Strengthening Laboratory Diagnostic Capacity to Support Cancer Care in Uganda
    (American journal of clinical pathology, 2021) Niyonzima, Nixon; Wannume, Henry; Kadhumbula, Sylivestor; Wasswa, Hassan; Osinde, Godfrey; Mulumba, Yusuf; Tusabe, Tobias; Kalungi, Samuel; Orem, Jackson
    An accurate cancer diagnosis is critical to providing quality care to patients with cancer. We describe the results of a laboratory improvement process that started in 2017 to improve access to cancer diagnostics at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). The overall objective of the project was to build capacity for the provision of quality and timely laboratory diagnostics to support cancer care in Uganda. A phased multistep approach was used to improve laboratory capacity, including staff training, additional staff recruitment, equipment overhaul, and optimization of the supply chain. The program led to the establishment of a pathology laboratory that handled 5,700 tissue diagnoses in 2019. Immunohistochemistry services are now offered routinely. Turnaround time for histopathology has also reduced from an average of 7 to 14 days to 5.4 days. The main clinical laboratory has also increased both the test volume and the test capacity, with the additional establishment of a molecular diagnostics laboratory. Our project shows a pathway to the improvement of laboratory diagnostic capacity in cancer care centers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Improved laboratory diagnostic capacity is critical to improving cancer care in SSA and more rational use of targeted therapies.