Usefulness of the scraping method for DNA flow cytometry in breast tumors

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Cytometry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/cyto.990190310· OSTI ID:456801

Cornacchiari, A; Grigolato, P G; Facchetti, F ^[1]

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1. Univ.-Spedali Civili of Brescia (Italy); and others

Flow cytometric DNA analysis is an important prognostic tool in breast cancer. We evaluated the possibility of performing DNA analysis on cell suspensions obtained by scraping the cut surface of breast tumors; 31 breast tumor nodules, including six benign and 25 malignant lesions, were studied. From each case, cell suspensions acquired by mechanical mincing of a fresh frozen tissue fragment and by two different scrapings (central and peripheral) from the cut surface of the tumor were analyzed via flow cytometry. In all cases, comparison of the DNA histograms for three samples showed no significant differences in the appearance of debris or in the value of coefficient of variation of the G{sub 0}-G{sub 1} peak. All benign nodules showed a normal DNA stemline in all specimens. In 23 of 25 cases of breast carcinoma, the ploidy of the three preparations was similar, with a concordance in 12/14 (85, 71%) cases in DNA nondiploid tumors. Linear regression analysis showed a good correlation in DNA index between either scraping sample and the tissue fragment (r = .955 and r = .905). The results indicate that the scraping technique provides excellent cell suspensions and DNA histograms comparable to those obtained from mechanical mincing of tissue fragments. The technique minimizes preparation time and avoids consuming much tissue and, thus, is the method of choice when very small cancers have to be analyzed. 20 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 456801
• Journal Information: Cytometry, Journal Name: Cytometry Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 19; ISSN CYTODQ; ISSN 0196-4763
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
CELL FLOW SYSTEMS
DETECTION
DIAGNOSIS
DNA
MAMMARY GLANDS
NEOPLASMS
PLOIDY
RNA
SAMPLE PREPARATION