title: PCR amplification of DNA obtained from archived hematoxylin-eosin--and giemsa-stained breast cancer aspirates.
abstract: The study of DNA abnormalities in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens for breast cancer could be helpful in improving the capacity of diagnosis and specially to obtain prognostic or predictive information. The aim of the present study was to verify whether it is possible to perform molecular analysis in slides of breast cancer FNA specimens. previously stained by hematoxylineosin (H&E) and Giemsa, stored at least for 3 years. For this purpose, 10 cases of FNA obtained from breast cancer patients diagnosed between 1993 and 1994 in our institute were used. Five cytologic smears were alcohol-fixed and stained with H&E. The other five were air-fixed and Giemsa stained. DNA was isolated from the cytologic smears and amplified by using radioactive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) aimed at BAT-26 marker. Our results demonstrate that archived stained smears prepared for cytologic examinations can be used for molecular analyses by using a PCR amplification method. DNA could be isolated and PCR amplified independently of the prior fixation and staining procedures. So, we conclude that the application of molecular biology techniques to the existing archival smears may become a valuable tool to detect genetic changes in samples from breast cancer aspirates.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology-IPATIMUP, Medical School of the University of Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cirnes
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seruca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001399:Azure Stains; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D001399:Azure Stains; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm