Sensitive and reliable PCR and sequencing used to detect p53 point mutations in fine needle aspirates of the breast.
OBJECTIVE
Fine needle aspirates (FNAs) of breast lesions are now a routine investigation and prognostic information at this stage would be useful for accurate management, p53 gene status can be used as prognostic indicator, an abnormal genotype being associated with high grade, oestrogen receptor poor tumours. As the main disadvantage with FNA is poor cellularity, the objective of this study was to develop a sensitive and reliable method for the assessment of the p53 status of the lesion.


METHODS
Using PCR and subsequent direct sequencing, a method was developed that enables analysis of the p53 gene from relatively few malignant or suspicious cells in a background of normal cells.


RESULTS
This method is both reproducible and sensitive. The sensitivity of the method is demonstrated and a mutant cell can be seen in a background of 90% of normal wild type cells. A mutation, not previously described in breast cancer, is also reported in a symptomatic FNA.


CONCLUSIONS
This methodology is reliable and effective on samples with both variable cell numbers and quality of preservation, allowing it to be applied successfully to diagnostic cytology.
Howes
G P
GP
Department of Histopathology, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London.
Stephenson
J
J
Humphreys
S
S
D001483:Base Sequence; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D004247:DNA; D005260:Female; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017354:Point Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D004247:DNA