Factors in tissue handling and processing that impact RNA obtained from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue.

ABSTRACT: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue is the most common specimen available for molecular assays on tissue after diagnostic histopathological examination. RNA from FFPE tissue suffers from strand breakage and cross-linking. Despite excellent extraction methods, RNA quality from FFPE material remains variable. To address the RNA quality factors within FFPE tissues, we studied RNA quality, isolating individual elements of the tissue fixation and processing including length of fixation in formalin and the type of buffer incorporated in the fixative. We examined the impact of the length of the tissue processing cycle as well. The optimal fixation period of 12-24 hr in phosphate-buffered formalin resulted in better-quality RNA. Longer tissue processing times were associated with highe

SUBMITTER: Chung JY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2569903 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature