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How to Prepare Cytological Samples for Molecular Testing

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Molecular Applications in Cytology

Abstract

This chapter is focused on the challenges in standardizing and optimizing molecular testing workflow in cytopathology. Although cytological samples yield optimal quality DNA, whose minimal amounts in most cases suffice even for multigene mutational profiling, the success of molecular testing is strongly dependent on standardized pre-analytical protocols for maximizing DNA yield and quality. Sample cytopreparation influences, even more, the quality of RNA and consequently the potential success of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Here, the educational and technical involvement of the cytopathologist in the issues related to test request, specimen collection, fixation, processing, staining, tumour fraction enrichment, DNA quality/quantity assessment and storage conditions are discussed. In addition, the specific sample requirements related to more recent technological developments are examined, underlining the modern role of the cytopathologist, whose continuous education is crucial to meet the opportunities of molecular medicine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, University of Napoli Federico II, School of Medicine, Naples, Italy

    Claudio Bellevicine, Umberto Malapelle, Elena Vigliar, Pasquale Pisapia, Carlo Ruosi & Giancarlo Troncone

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  1. Claudio Bellevicine
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  2. Umberto Malapelle
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  3. Elena Vigliar
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  4. Pasquale Pisapia
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  5. Carlo Ruosi
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  6. Giancarlo Troncone
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Correspondence to Giancarlo Troncone .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Faculty of Porto University, Porto, Portugal

    Fernando C. Schmitt

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Bellevicine, C., Malapelle, U., Vigliar, E., Pisapia, P., Ruosi, C., Troncone, G. (2018). How to Prepare Cytological Samples for Molecular Testing. In: Schmitt, F. (eds) Molecular Applications in Cytology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74942-6_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74942-6_2

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