Loss of tumor marker-immunostaining intensity on stored paraffin slides of breast cancer.

Author(s): Jacobs TW, Prioleau JE, Stillman IE, Schnitt SJ

Publication: J Natl Cancer Inst, 1996, Vol. 88, Page 1054-9

PubMed ID: 8683636 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine if p53, estrogen receptor (ER), Bcl-2, and Factor VIII immunostaining are impacted by room temperature storage of FFPE slide-mounted tissue sections for 12 weeks.

   Summary of Findings:

   In the majority of specimens examined, immunostaining was reduced for all four antigens after 12 weeks of slide storage at room temperature compared to freshly sectioned controls.

   Biospecimens

   • Tissue - Breast

   Preservative Types

   • Formalin

   Diagnoses:

   • Neoplastic - Carcinoma

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Protein	Immunohistochemistry

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Storage duration	0 d 12 weeks
   Storage	Storage temperature	Room temperature
   Immunohistochemistry Specific	Targeted peptide/protein	p53 ER Bcl-2 Factor VIII

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2. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to conduct a time course analysis of p53 immunostaining after slide storage at room temperature or 4 degrees C for up to 12 weeks, and to determine the influence coating the slide in paraffin prior to storage.

   Summary of Findings:

   The intensity of p53 immunostaining was significantly affected by the duration of slide storage. Staining intensity decreased to 30%, 17%, 10%, and 8% that of freshly sectioned controls after room temperature storage for 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks in comparison to fresh cut controls. Slides stored at 4 degrees C also exhibited a time-dependent decrease in immunostaining intensity, although effects were less robust: 56%, 42%, 28%, 33% that of freshly sectioned controls after 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of storage. Coating slides in paraffin prior to storage did not attenuate the observed reductions in intensity irrespective of storage temperature.

   Biospecimens

   • Tissue - Breast

   Preservative Types

   • Formalin

   Diagnoses:

   • Neoplastic - Carcinoma

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Protein	Immunohistochemistry

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Storage temperature	4 degrees C Room temperature
   Biospecimen Aliquots and Components	Type of slide	Paraffin-coated slide Untreated slide
   Immunohistochemistry Specific	Targeted peptide/protein	p53
   Storage	Storage duration	0 d 2 weeks 4 weeks 8 weeks 12 weeks

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