Fractal dimension of chromatin: potential molecular diagnostic applications for cancer prognosis

摘要: Fractal characteristics of chromatin, revealed by light or electron microscopy, have been reported during the last 20 years. features can easily be estimated in digitalized microscopic images and are helpful for diagnosis prognosis neoplasias. During carcinogenesis tumor progression, an increase fractal dimension (FD) stained nuclei has shown intraepithelial lesions uterine cervix anus, oral squamous cell carcinomas adenocarcinomas pancreas. Furthermore, increased FD chromatin is unfavorable prognostic factor cavity larynx, melanomas multiple myelomas. High goodness-of-fit regression line a favorable acute leukemias The nucleus power-law organization several different levels, which might part interrelated. Some possible relations between modifications progression suggested. complexity structure, loss heterochromatin less-perfect self-organization aggressive neoplasias discussed.