FISH is superior to PCR in detecting t(14;18)(q32;q21)-IgH/bcl-2 in follicular lymphoma using paraffin-embedded tissue samples.
Detection of t(14;18)(q32;q21)-IgH/bcl-2, which is present in 70% to 95% of follicular lymphomas (FLs), might aid in diagnosing FL. The efficacy of routine polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques in detecting t(14;18) in paraffin-embedded tissue samples was compared on 5 normal tonsils and 28 FLs demonstrated to be t(14;18)+ by previous karyotyping. There was technical failure in 14 (50%) of the FLs by PCR, likely due to B-5 fixation, and 4 (14%) of FLs by FISH, likely due to advanced specimen age. In the remaining successful cases, 5 (36%) of 14 were positive by PCR and 24 (100%) of 24 were positive by FISH. All 5 normal tonsils were negative by both methods. FISH is superior to PCR for detecting t(14;18) from paraffin-embedded tissue samples because it is more sensitive and equally specific.
Einerson
Richard R
RR
Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Kurtin
Paul J
PJ
Dayharsh
Gerald A
GA
Kimlinger
Teresa K
TK
Remstein
Ellen D
ED
D002883:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14; D002887:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D006801:Humans; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics*; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000235:genetics*; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2