Detection of ALK gene translocation by fluorescence in situ hybridization in paraffin-embedded anaplastic large cell lymphoma tissue and its significance / 中华医学遗传学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the value of fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) with that of immunohistochemistry in detecting ALK gene translocations and ALK fusion protein in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and investigate the possibility of FISH working on paraffin-embedded ALCL tissue.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Dual-color FISH and ALK-1 immunohistochemistry were used to detect ALK gene translocation and ALK fusion protein in 22 paraffin-embedded ALCL cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The digestion time of tissue section was a key-point in the operating of FISH in paraffin-embedded tissue. ALK fusion protein expression was detected with ALK-1 antibody in 12 of the 20 systemic ALCL; it was not detected in 2 primary cutaneous ALCL. The Dual-color FISH results were 100% consonant with the immunohistochemical results.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>(1) Generally, immunohistochemical method is the first choice in detecting ALK gene translocation, but when conditions permit, FISH can be the first choice. (2) By the optimization of experimental conditions, FISH can be successfully performed on paraffin-embedded tissue.</p>