title: Matrix-comparative genomic hybridization from multicenter formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded colorectal cancer tissue blocks.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The identification of genomic signatures of colorectal cancer for risk stratification requires the study of large series of cancer patients with an extensive clinical follow-up. Multicentric clinical studies represent an ideal source of well documented archived material for this type of analyses.
  
  
  METHODS
  To verify if this material is technically suitable to perform matrix-CGH, we performed a pilot study using macrodissected 29 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples collected within the framework of the EORTC-GI/PETACC-2 trial for colorectal cancer. The scientific aim was to identify prognostic genomic signatures differentiating locally restricted (UICC stages II-III) from systemically advanced (UICC stage IV) colorectal tumours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of archived tissue samples collected in the different centers was suitable to perform matrix-CGH. 5/7 advanced tumours displayed 13q-gain and 18q-loss. In locally restricted tumours, only 6/12 tumours showed a gain on 13q and 7/12 tumours showed a loss on 18q. Interphase-FISH and high-resolution array-mapping of the gain on 13q confirmed the validity of the array-data and narrowed the chromosomal interval containing potential oncogenes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Archival, paraffin-embedded tissue samples collected in multicentric clinical trials are suitable for matrix-CGH analyses and allow the identification of prognostic signatures and aberrations harbouring potential new oncogenes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. heiko.fensterer@med.uni-marburg.de <heiko.fensterer@med.uni-marburg.de>
authors.forename: Heiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fensterer
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Radlwimmer
authors.forename: Jörn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sträter
authors.forename: Malte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buchholz
authors.forename: Daniela E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Aust
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Julié
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Radvanyi
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nordlinger
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Belluco
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Cutsem
authors.forename: Claus-Henning
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Köhne
authors.forename: Hans A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Kestler
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schwaenen
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nessling
authors.forename: Manfred P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lichter
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Gress
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D004210:Dissection; D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde