title: Intratumoral DNA content heterogeneity in breast carcinomas demonstrated by core punch tissue sampling and flow cytometry.
abstract: Further to advancements in instrumentation and fluorescent dye technologies, there has been a resurgence of interest in the flow cytometric assay of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens. Here we present a novel, simple and effective alternative to whole block sectioning that allows selective multisampling of tissues within a specimen block and the investigation of intratumoral heterogeneity. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded breast carcinoma specimens were core-punched using 1.0 mm diameter needles and assayed by flow cytometry using a modified Hedley method. Intratumoral heterogeneity for DNA index and per cent S-phase fraction was detected in 10 of 23 (44%) and 11 of 23 (47%) specimens respectively. Macro-level genomic heterogeneity is common in breast cancer even within a single surgical specimen block. Studies investigating the relationship of DNA content heterogeneity to other markers of genomic instability such as mutations, deletions, insertions and translocations are warranted.
authors.forename: Zhouwei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Donald L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: Kavita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Munjal
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D062005:Biopsy, Large-Core Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002453:Cell Cycle; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016707:Tissue Fixation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D005557:Formaldehyde