[Standard protocol of ALK fusion gene assessment by fluorescent in situ hybridization in non-small cell lung cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the standard protocol for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion gene assessment by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Tissue specimens of NSCLC cases were retrospectively collected from Jan. 2011 to July 2012. ALK fusion gene was examined by FISH using break-apart ALK gene probes (Vysis company). The identification of ALK fusion gene was determined by fluorescent signals under a fluorescence microscope.


RESULTS
One hundred and forty-six eligible NSCLC tumor specimens were tested for ALK fusion gene by FISH. The specimens included 110 cases (75.4%) of surgically-removed tissues, 11 cases (7.5%) of biopsy, 19 cases (13.0%) of lymph node and 6 cases (4.1%) of other metastatic tissues. The positivity of ALK fusion gene was 8.9% (13/146).


CONCLUSIONS
The assessment of ALK fusing gene by FISH using standard protocol for formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue is feasible. The protocol can used to test in surgically-removed tissues, biopsies, metastatic lymph nodes and other metastastic specimens.
Department of Pathology, Cancer Institute & Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
Lei
L
Guo
Shan
S
Zheng
Yong-qiang
YQ
Xie
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D050939:Gene Fusion; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D015514:Oncogene Proteins, Fusion; C000626173:ALK protein, human; D000077548:Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases