Next-generation sequencing of residual cytologic fixative preserved DNA from pancreatic lesions: A pilot study

Clifton G. Fulmer, Kyung Park, Thomas Dilcher, Mai Ho, Susanna Mirabelli, Susan Alperstein, Erika M. Hissong, Meredith Pittman, Momin Siddiqui, Jonas J. Heymann, Rhonda K. Yantiss, Alain C. Borczuk, Helen Fernandes, Carlie Sigel, Wei Song, Juan Miguel Mosquera, Rema Rao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound–guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a sensitive and specific tool in the risk stratification of pancreatic lesions, including cysts. The sensitivity and specificity of EUS-FNA has been shown to improve when cytology is combined with next-generation sequencing (NGS). Ideally, fresh cyst fluid is used for NGS. In this pilot study, we explore the possibility of sequencing DNA derived from residual alcohol-fixed pancreatic aspirates. Methods: Residual cytologic fixatives (n = 42) from 39 patients who underwent EUS-FNA for pancreatic lesions were collected along with demographics, imaging, and laboratory studies. Samples were designated as nonneoplastic/nonmucinous benign (NB), mucinous cyst (MC), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), or well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (NET) on the basis of cytopathologic evaluation and sequenced on the Oncomine platform (ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, Massachusetts). Results: Ten of 14 (71.4%) MCs exhibited clinically significant variants, including KRAS, GNAS, and TP53. Ten of 15 (66.7%) PDACs had KRAS alterations, and 9 of 15 (60%) showed variants in TP53. No variants were detected in any NETs. Only 1 of 9 (11.1%) NB aspirates showed variants in KRAS and MAP2K. Sequencing of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue revealed variants identical to those detected in fixative-derived DNA in 4 of 5 cases (80%). Conclusion: Residual DNA from alcohol-fixed aspirates are an underutilized source for NGS. Sequencing residual fixative-derived DNA has the potential to be integrated into the workup of pancreatic aspirates, possibly impacting management.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)840-851
Number of pages12
JournalCancer Cytopathology
Volume128
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2020

Keywords

  • DNA
  • endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration
  • pancreatic carcinoma
  • pancreatic ductal carcinoma
  • pancreatic neoplasms
  • sequence analysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Next-generation sequencing of residual cytologic fixative preserved DNA from pancreatic lesions: A pilot study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this