INTERPHASE CYTOGENETICS AND PATHOLOGY - A TOOL FOR DIAGNOSIS AND RESEARCH

Karyotypic analysis by direct demonstration of DNA sequences in interp hase nuclei has been termed interphase cytogenetics and can be applied to a,vide variety of cellular material, including paraffin-embedded t issue, allowing detection of both numerical and structural chromosome aberrations. The principal established method is the fluorescence in s itu hybridization (FISH) technique, but more recently primed in situ l abelling (PRINS) has been employed, as illustrated in an accompanying paper in this issue of the Journal. Where there are defining cytogenet ic abnormalities, as is the case for the detection of fetal numerical chromosome abnormalities and in some paediatric and soft tissue tumour s, this approach has clear diagnostic applicability. In other circumst ances, such as the investigation of most solid tumours, this technique is largely of research interest but, particularly with application to paraffin sections, is providing valuable information on the morpholog ical distribution of molecular changes in both invasive and 'pre-invas ive' lesions. Continued technical refinement and research application of this methodology will lead not only to greater clinical applicabili ty but also to improved understanding of the pathobiology of tumours. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.