Characterization of Chromosomal Aberrations in Neuroblastoma Formalin-Fixed Paraffin- Embedded Specimens with Standard ArrayCGH Procedure - Preliminary Experience

Background: The broad spectrum of neuroblastoma (NB) clinical behavior depends on a genomic landscape of tumor cells. The amplification of MYCN oncogene is the most powerful negative prognostic marker in NB. Moreover, segmental chromosomal alterations are also associated with a poor outcome. Therefore, the comprehensive characterization of tumor genetic features is obligatory for NB patients. These features determine the risk stratification and therapeutic decisions in treatment.

Purpose: Our report focuses on a possibility to use standard microarray procedure to demonstrate critical structural chromosomal alteration in archival samples of NB tumors.

Methods and Findings: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 8 NB primary tumors have been analyzed by cytogenetic microarrays. It achieved a very good quality of genomic DNA from fixed samples. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 7 out of 8 cases. It was not an incidence of MYCN amplification.

Conclusion: The results demonstrate that it is possible to obtain reliable and highquality microarray data from archival samples.

Author(s):

Katarzyna Szewczyk*

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