Published in:
01-11-2018 | Translational Research and Biomarkers
Tumor Cell Content and RNA Integrity of Surgical Tissues from Different Types of Tumors and Its Correlation with Ex Vivo and In Vivo Ischemia
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 12/2018
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Background
Tissues from tumor patients are important resources for promoting cancer research, and therefore many biobanks have been established to collect tumor tissues; however, the quality of tumor tissues after surgical resection has not been well documented.
Methods
A total of 896 cases of tissues from 12 types of tumors were chosen for this study. First, histopathological examination was conducted to evaluate the tumor cell content; second, microchip electrophoresis was used to determine the RNA integrity number (RIN) in 466 cases of tissues with a tumor cell content ≥ 75%; and, finally, a correlation test was used to analyze the effect of ischemia on RNA integrity in 384 cases of tissues with a recorded ischemia time.
Results
Tumor tissues from 12 different organs had different tumor cell contents and RNA integrity. The liver had the highest percentage (69.7%) of tissue samples with a tumor cell content ≥ 75%, and the highest percentage (96%) of samples with an RIN ≥ 7. RNA integrity was not correlated with limited ex vivo ischemia time (5–60 min) in any of the 12 types of tumors. In contrast, a significant correlation with in vivo ischemia time was observed in several types of tumors.
Conclusions
Not every sample of excised tumor tissue has a sufficient amount of tumor cells and enough RNA integrity. In vivo ischemia has a more significant influence on RNA integrity, and tumor tissues have different tolerances to pre-analytical variables. Those conducting translational research should pay attention to pre-analytical variables when collecting and utilizing tumor tissues.