title: Nucleic acid extraction methods from fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues in cancer diagnostics.
abstract: Diagnostic tests, based on nucleic acid extracts from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues, are now becoming increasingly common due to the introduction of biological agents for cancer therapy. Unfortunately, the formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues are heterogeneous in terms of processing and tissue type, and this has an impact on downstream molecular techniques, especially RNA-based techniques. The present review deals with most of the variables connected to the extraction of nucleic acids from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, ranging from tissue processing to quality control of extracts. The most recent peer-reviewed publications (mostly published in the past 5 years) and information provided by company websites have been analyzed to compile this review.
authors.affiliation: DSM-Department, University of Trieste, Cattinara Hospital, Strada di Fiume 447, Trieste I-34149, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonin
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stanta
mesh_terms: D057205:Automation, Laboratory; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000592:standards; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016707:Tissue Fixation
chemical_list: D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA