Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: MP28-18
Sources of Funding: NCI Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies Program, NCI Early Detection Research Network, DOD Prostate Cancer Research Program

Introduction

With the introduction of multiple tissue-based biomarker tests for prostate cancer (PCa) the allocation of formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) biopsy tissues has become challenging. This is especially true for patients managed by active surveillance or non-surgical treatment where no radical prostatectomy specimen is available. Our goal is to develop and fully implement tissue print technologies that allow us to obtain high quality RNA and DNA from prostate biopsy cores without compromising the tissue for histopathology and other FFPE based testing.

Methods

Biopsy tissue prints (nitrocellulose blots) were obtained from each core during the transfer of the tissue from the cutting needle to the fixation jar and each print was immediately snap-frozen. Tissue prints were processed by a central laboratory to obtain purified RNA and DNA for QC, molecular marker discovery and targeted biomarker assays.

Results

At our Boston site (private office practice) we have prospectively collected 444 sets of biopsy tissue prints (>5300 cores) from study subjects undergoing standard diagnostic biopsy. Biopsy tissue print collection has also been implemented at two sites in Birmingham (an academic medical center and a private office practice) to support biomarker studies in African American patients and in patients undergoing mpMRI-US fusion guided biopsy. To date we have prospectively collected 273 sets of tissue prints (>2400 cores) from our Birmingham sites. We routinely harvest 50,000-200,000 cells/print. From cores with >50% high grade PCa the yield/print mean, median (SD) for DNA is 1611 ng, 942 ng (1191) and for RNA is 550 ng, 481 ng (506); from cores with no PCa the yield/print for DNA is 1020 ng, 926 ng (744) and for RNA is 351 ng, 250 ng (418). Prostate biopsy tissue print RNA and DNA is snap-frozen quality and has been successfully utilized for gene expression profiling, genotyping, DNA methylation and sequencing analyses.

Conclusions

Tissue print technologies provide a practical approach to biopsy-based biomarker analyses that preserves the tissue core for pathology diagnosis and other FFPE based testing. For research studies, prospective collection of biopsy tissue prints is feasible in both academic and private practice settings. Because tissue prints provide high quality RNA and DNA suitable for a wide range of molecular biomarker tests, the technology may also be useful in situations where there is insufficient FFPE biopsy tissue to satisfy clinical molecular testing requirements.

Funding

NCI Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies Program, NCI Early Detection Research Network, DOD Prostate Cancer Research Program