Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41504087›Full record

ArticleCancer cytopathology2026

Validation of on-slide immunocytochemistry controls prepared from long-term preserved prefixed cell suspensions.

Rúben Rodrigues Roque, Irena Srebotnik Kirbiš, Carla Sofia Castro Pinheiro, Rita Sattler Fagulha Martins, Vanessa Sofia Tavares, Saudade André, Ana Félix

Erratum issuedAbstract readValidation Study
In one paragraph

Article in Cancer cytopathology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Rúben Rodrigues RoqueServiço de Anatomia Patológica, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0003-2368-4516
Irena Srebotnik KirbišInstitute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.ORCID 0000-0003-0934-0469
Carla Sofia Castro PinheiroServiço de Anatomia Patológica, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0001-9481-212X
Rita Sattler Fagulha MartinsServiço de Anatomia Patológica, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID 0009-0001-6377-384X
Vanessa Sofia TavaresServiço de Anatomia Patológica, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID 0009-0005-8203-0944
Saudade AndréServiço de Anatomia Patológica, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-0602-827X
Ana FélixServiço de Anatomia Patológica, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-2653-2262

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOn-slide controls are essential for quality assurance in immunocytochemistry, yet their use in non-cell block cytology preparations remains a significant challenge. This study presents and evaluates a novel method for preparing on-slide controls from long-term prefixed cell suspensions, applicable to all types of cytology preparations.

methodsA methodology for preparing on-slide controls is described in detail and comprehensively validated via three key evaluations: assessing antigen and cellular morphology stability in 17 suspensions over 29 months; conducting a retrospective review of immunocytochemistry records (2019-2024) to determine feasibility; and performing a tracer study to evaluate cell carryover risk.

resultsIn the stability assessment, all 20 evaluated antigens and cellular morphologies remained well preserved in the stored control samples, with only transient partial loss of antigenicity observed on three of 149 slides. The method was successfully and reliably applied in 1904 immunocytochemistry tests (n = 48 primary antibodies), with a failure rate of 0.3% (95% CI, 0.1%-0.7%). The dedicated tracer study confirmed the complete absence of cell carryover or cross-contamination.

conclusionsThe described method offers a robust, practical, and adaptable solution for preparing on-slide controls applicable to all cytology preparations, including previously stained and mounted slides. Implementing this approach strengthens quality control for non-cell block cytology slides, enhances diagnostic reliability, and brings cytology practice closer to the quality standards established in immunohistochemistry.

Indexed as

CytodiagnosisImmunohistochemistryHumansQuality ControlRetrospective Studiescytospinsexternal controlsimmunocytochemistryon‐slide controlsquality control

Identifiers

PMID41504087
PMCPMC12781157

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.