Mining the archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue proteome: opportunities and challenges

Nirmalan, NJ; Harnden, P; Selby, PJ; Banks, RE

Abstract

The significant potential of tissue-based proteomic biomarker studies can be restricted
by difficulties in accessing samples in optimal fresh-frozen form. While archival formalinfixed
tissue collections with attached clinical and outcome data represent a valuable
alternate resource, the use of formalin as a fixative which induces protein cross-linking,
has generally been assumed to render them unsuitable for proteomic studies. However,
this view has been challenged recently with the publication of several papers
accomplishing variable degrees of heat-induced reversal of cross-links. Although still in
its infancy and requiring the quantitative optimisation of several critical parameters,
formalin-fixed tissue proteomics holds promise as a powerful tool for biomarker-driven
translational research. Here, we critically review the current status of research in the field,
highlighting challenges which need to be addressed for robust quantitative application
of protocols to ensure confident high impact inferences can be made.

Citation

Nirmalan, N., Harnden, P., Selby, P., & Banks, R. (2008). Mining the archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue proteome: opportunities and challenges. Molecular BioSystems, 4(7), 712-720. https://doi.org/10.1039/b800098k

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2008
• Deposit Date: Dec 20, 2011
• Journal: Molecular BioSystems
• Print ISSN: 1742-206X
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 712-720
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/b800098k
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/b800098k