Using Genomic Signatures from FFPE Samples for Cancer Treatment
Author Information
Author(s): Jennifer A Freedman, Christina K Augustine, Angelica M Selim, Kirsten C Holshausen, Zhengzheng Wei, Katherine A Tsamis, David S Hsu, Holly K Dressman, William T Barry, Douglas S Tyler, Joseph R Nevins
Primary Institution: Duke University Medical Center
Hypothesis
Can predictive genomic signatures be reliably generated from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples to guide cancer treatment?
Conclusion
Reliable and consistent predictions of oncogenic pathway activities can be obtained from FFPE tumor tissue samples.
Supporting Evidence
- Significant correlation was observed between pathway activity predictions from paired fresh-frozen and FFPE xenograft tumor samples.
- Concordance of pathway activity predictions was also observed between patient matched fresh-frozen and FFPE melanomas.
- The ability to reliably utilize FFPE patient tumor tissue samples for genomic analyses will lead to better understanding of disease progression.
Takeaway
Scientists found a way to use old cancer samples to help doctors choose the best treatments for patients.
Methodology
The study compared gene expression data from fresh-frozen and FFPE tumor samples using Affymetrix arrays and MessageAmp Premier methodology.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on melanoma samples, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other cancer types.
Participant Demographics
The study involved human-derived metastatic melanoma cell lines and patient samples.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001 for RAS pathway, p=0.011 for MYC pathway
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website