KRAS Mutations in Historical Tumour Specimens of the Viennese Museum of Pathological Anatomy

Roland Sedivy (1, 2) , Maria Kalipciyan (3) , Beatrix Patzak (4) , Robert M. Mader (3)

1 Center of Pathology M4
2 Department of Pathology
3 Department of Medicine I, Clinical Division of Oncology
4 Pathological Anatomy

Aims: The Viennese Museum of Pathological Anatomy represents one of the biggest collections worldwide. Interrogating the quality of these unique specimens, some of them from the 19th century, 31 historic tissue samples were analyzed by modern histopathology. The good conservation of this specimen prompted us to initiate molecular investigations on gDNA. Methods and Results: After isolation of gDNA from 5 µm thick paraffin embedded tissue sections, the DNA integrity was controlled using a sequential multiplex PCR technique. Having established the PCR methodology, the historic specimens were analysed for their KRAS status focusing on mutations in codons 12 and 13. In 4 of 31 samples, mutations of codon 12 were detected. Conclusion: Molecular pathology are feasible on historic formalin fixed specimens. In comparison with molecular routine pathology, these tests require more elaborated experimental approaches (optimised gDNA isolation, DNA quality control by sequential multiplex PCR for β-actin, and sequential PCR for KRAS), which are justified given the value of these samples. The molecular elements driving tumourigenesis today may already be observed in historic specimens. This fact may serve as a first hint at the stability of tumour driving mutations such as KRAS covering an observation period of almost 200 years.

Mots clés: Medicine

Roland Sedivy, Maria Kalipciyan, Beatrix Patzak, Robert M. Mader. KRAS Mutations in Historical Tumour Specimens of the Viennese Museum of Pathological Anatomy. Histopathology, 2011, 58 (5), pp.792. ⟨10.1111/j.1365-2559.2011.03832.x⟩. ⟨hal-00628684⟩