Cancer Diagnosis Program | Biorepositories and Biospecimen Research Branch

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Effect of fixatives and tissue processing on the content and integrity of nucleic acids.

Author(s): Srinivasan M, Sedmak D, Jewell S

Publication: Am J Pathol, 2002, Vol. 161, Page 1961-71

PubMed ID: 12466110 PubMed Review Paper? Yes

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The goal of this review is to highlight key variables during biospecimen procurement and preservation that impact specimen quality and thereby subsequent molecular analysis.

   Summary of Findings:

   Of note, data from both human and animal model studies are presented and discussed in the present review. Some key findings noted include the following. Extensive mRNA and protein degradation have been observed among autopsy specimens and is dependent upon the duration of the postmortem interval. The type of anesthesia administered during surgical resection may induce molecular and biochemical changes within a biospecimen, as can alterations in the in situ environment, such as 10 minutes of anoxia induced by surgical clamping. Parameters influencing the subsequent molecular analysis of fixative preserved biospecimens was also discussed, including effects specific to the type, concentration, temperature, and pH of the fixative employed. Biospecimen storage temperatures and media, as well as their effect on subsequent moleuclar analyses were also discussed.

   Biospecimens

   • Tissue - Breast
   • Tissue - Lung
   • Tissue - Skin
   • Tissue - Liver
   • Tissue - Kidney
   • Tissue - Lymph Node
   • Tissue - Salivary Gland
   • Tissue - Stomach

   Preservative Types

   • Formalin
   • Other Preservative
   • Ethanol

   Diagnoses:

   • Normal
   • Neoplastic - Normal Adjacent
   • Neoplastic - Lymphoma
   • Neoplastic - Carcinoma

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   DNA	Southern blot
   DNA	PCR
   DNA	In situ hybridization
   DNA	DNA sequencing
   RNA	Electrophoresis
   RNA	Northern blot
   RNA	RT-PCR
   RNA	In situ hybridization
   RNA	DNA microarray
   Morphology	Light microscopy
   Protein	Immunohistochemistry

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Biospecimen Preservation	Type of fixation/preservation	Acetone Carnoy's solution Ethanol Formalin (buffered) Genipin Glutaraldehyde HOPE Methacarn
   Biospecimen Preservation	Time in fixative	Multiple durations addressed
   Storage	Storage temperature	Room temperature 4 degrees C -20 degrees C -80 degrees C -132 degrees C
   Preaquisition	Postmortem interval	Multiple durations addressed

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