Reduction of preanalytical variability in specimen procurement for molecular profiling

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research
• Clinical diagnostics
• Biomarker discovery

Background:

• Disease-associated tissue biomarkers hold significant clinical value but face low validation rates.
• Sample-to-sample variability and biomolecule perishability are major roadblocks in biomarker validation.
• Post-excision tissue handling and preservation methods introduce significant biomolecule perturbation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the issue of biomolecule variability in excised tissues.
• To establish evidence-based tissue procurement guidelines for clinical research.
• To propose novel preservation methods for stabilizing tissue biomarkers.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of labile tissue protein biomarkers, specifically phosphoproteins.
• Evaluation of biomolecule fluctuations within 20 minutes postexcision.
• Development of tissue procurement recommendations.

Main Results:

• Significant fluctuations in critical diagnostic and prognostic biomolecules occur within 20 minutes postexcision.
• Protein biomarkers, such as phosphoproteins, exhibit altered levels due to ex vivo handling and delay.
• Established tissue procurement guidelines based on phosphoprotein analysis.

Conclusions:

• Standardized tissue procurement is crucial for accurate biomarker measurement.
• A multipurpose fixative solution is proposed to stabilize proteins, nucleic acids, and tissue architecture.
• Implementation of guidelines and novel fixatives can enhance biomarker reliability for clinical use.