SEQUENTIAL FLOW-CYTOMETRY AND FLUORESCENCE IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION FOR THE STUDY OF FORMALIN-FIXED, PARAFFIN-EMBEDDED BREAST-CANCER CELLS

Both flow cytometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) are useful techniques in the analysis of cancer tissues. When the two are used in the study of the same specimens, they are usually performed in parallel, separately. This is problematic where there is a scarcity o f material, making completion of both studies impossible. Fluorescence in situ hybridization procedures that will utilize excess material di scarded from flow cytometry would be advantageous. The present report describes an optimized protocol for performing sequential flow cytomet ry and FISH using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded archival material. Although breast cancer tissues were used in this initial study, the pr otocol is applicable to other cancer tissues as well. (C) Elsevier Sci ence Inc., 1998.