Utilization of Cell-Transfer Technique for Molecular Testing on Hematoxylin-Eosin–Stained Sections

Howard H. Wu, Stephen M. Jovonovich, Melissa Randolph, Kristin M. Post, Joyashree D. Sen, Kendra Curless, and Liang Cheng(2016) Utilization of Cell-Transfer Technique for Molecular Testing on Hematoxylin-Eosin–Stained Sections. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine In-Press.

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Utilization of Cell-Transfer Technique for Molecular Testing on Hematoxylin-Eosin–Stained Sections

A Viable Option for Small Biopsies That Lack Tumor Tissues in Paraffin Block

Howard H. Wu , MD; Stephen M. Jovonovich , MD; Melissa Randolph , CT(ASCP); Kristin M. Post , MLS(ASCP), MPH; Joyashree D. Sen , MD; Kendra Curless , MLS(ASCP); Liang Cheng , MD

Reprints: Howard H. Wu, MD, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 350 W 11th St, IUHPL-Room 4086, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (email: hhwu@iupui.edu).

Context.—In some instances the standard method of doing molecular testing from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded block is not possible because of limited tissue. Tumor cell–enriched cell-transfer technique has been proven useful for performing immunocytochemistry and molecular testing on cytologic smears.

Objective.—To establish the cell-transfer technique as a viable option for isolating tumor cells from hematoxylin-eosin (H&E)–stained slides.

Design.—Molecular testing was performed by using the cell-transfer technique on 97 archived H&E-stained slides from a variety of different tumors. Results were compared to the conventional method of molecular testing.

Results.—Polymerase chain reaction–based molecular testing via the cell-transfer technique was successfully performed on 82 of 97 samples (85%). This included 39 of 47 cases for EGFR, 10 of 11 cases for BRAF, and 33 of 39 cases for KRASmutations. Eighty-one of 82 cell-transfer technique samples (99%) showed agreement with previous standard method results, including 4 mutations and 35 wild-type alleles for EGFR, 4 mutations and 6 wild-type alleles for BRAF, and 11 mutations and 21 wild-type alleles for KRAS. There was only 1 discrepancy: a cell-transfer technique with a false-negativeKRAS result (wild type versus G12C).

Conclusions.—Molecular testing performed on H&E-stained sections via cell-transfer technique is useful when cell blocks and small surgical biopsy samples run out of tissue and the only available material for testing is on H&E-stained slides.