title: Use of FTA cards for the storage of breast carcinoma nucleic acid on fine-needle aspiration samples.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The preservation and storage of nucleic acids is important for DNA molecular techniques. The material obtained by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is often scanty and can not be wasted. FTA cards are filter papers that immobilize and stabilize nucleic acids and can be stored at room temperature. The current study evaluated whether nucleic acids of breast carcinoma cells, obtained by FNA in a clinical setting, may be collected, stored, and preserved on FTA cards.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty breast carcinoma, 5 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and 5 benign reactive lymph node (RLN) cell samples obtained by FNA were stored at -80 °C and on FTA cards. DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction were performed on cells at -80 °C and on 2 punched disks of FTA cards. Fifty nanograms of extracted DNA from both sample types were used to amplify the Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) gene.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean value of DNA extracted from breast carcinoma cells was 28.19 ng/µL for that stored at -80 °C and 3.28 ng/µL for that stored on FTA cards. Agarose gel analysis demonstrated expected bands of DNA in 29 cases (97%) with both methods. The mean value of DNA extracted from NHL and RLN samples was 37.54 ng/µL and 4.28 ng/µL, respectively, and agarose gel analysis demonstrated bands of high molecular weight DNA in both methods. Significant differences in DNA yield were found between storage at -80 °C and FTA cards (P<.0001), but no differences were detected between 260/280 nm ratios in breast carcinoma and NHL/RLN samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FTA cards can be conveniently used for the storage of breast carcinoma cells obtained by FNA, thus providing a reliable alternative to traditional methods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Lucia
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Peluso
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cascone
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucrezia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lucchese
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Immacolata
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cozzolino
authors.affiliation: Section of Anatomic Pathology, "Gaetano Barresi" Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ieni
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Magna Grecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mignogna
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pepe
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Pio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zeppa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D053614:Janus Kinase 2 / Q000235:genetics; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011309:Preservation, Biological; D011379:Prognosis; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; C507924:JAK2 protein, human; D053614:Janus Kinase 2
keywords: DNA storage; FTA cards; breast carcinoma; fine-needle aspiration