[Detection of ALK gene translocation by fluorescence in situ hybridization in paraffin-embedded anaplastic large cell lymphoma tissue and its significance].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the value of fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) with that of immunohistochemistry in detecting ALK gene translocations and ALK fusion protein in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and investigate the possibility of FISH working on paraffin-embedded ALCL tissue.


METHODS
Dual-color FISH and ALK-1 immunohistochemistry were used to detect ALK gene translocation and ALK fusion protein in 22 paraffin-embedded ALCL cases.


RESULTS
The digestion time of tissue section was a key-point in the operating of FISH in paraffin-embedded tissue. ALK fusion protein expression was detected with ALK-1 antibody in 12 of the 20 systemic ALCL; it was not detected in 2 primary cutaneous ALCL. The Dual-color FISH results were 100% consonant with the immunohistochemical results.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) Generally, immunohistochemical method is the first choice in detecting ALK gene translocation, but when conditions permit, FISH can be the first choice. (2) By the optimization of experimental conditions, FISH can be successfully performed on paraffin-embedded tissue.
Department of Pathology,West China Hospital,Sichuan University,Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041 P.R. China.
Hai-yan
HY
Li
Gan-di
GD
Li
Xiao-jin
XJ
He
Wei-ping
WP
Liu
Jie
J
Zhang
Wen-xiu
WX
Yang
D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D017728:Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D016612:Paraffin Embedding / Q000379:methods; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases