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Plasma-thrombin cell blocks: Potential source of DNA contamination
Simon Sung1, Anthony N Sireci1, Helen E Remotti1
1Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
Cancer Cytopathology
|November 23, 2019
Summary
Plasma used in cell block preparation contains amplifiable DNA that may interfere with molecular diagnostic testing, potentially causing false results in low-cellularity samples.
Area of Science:
- Cytology and molecular diagnostics
- Blood product analysis
Background:
- Cell blocks are increasingly used in cytology for molecular diagnostics.
- Plasma-thrombin is a common method for cell block processing.
- Plasma, a blood product, is a potential source of DNA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of amplifiable DNA in plasma used for cell block preparation.
- To assess the potential for this DNA to interfere with molecular testing.
Main Methods:
- DNA extraction from plasma samples using QIAsymphony MIDI kit.
- DNA concentration measurement via NanoDrop.
- Assessment of amplifiable DNA quality and quantity using PCR and AmpFLSTR Identifiler Plus kit.
Main Results:
- All 20 plasma samples yielded amplifiable DNA.
- High-quality amplifiable DNA (up to 600 bp) was detected.
- DNA was successfully amplified at 16 loci in all tested samples.
Conclusions:
- Genomic DNA in plasma can theoretically interfere with molecular testing results.
- This interference may mask tumor DNA or cause false positives in low-cellularity samples.
