The FFPE Tissue Dissociation kit from Miltenyi Biotec, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, enables the effective dissociation of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) carcinoma samples for the enrichment and molecular analysis of carcinoma tumor cells. The dissociation process enhances the sensitivity of molecular experiments, such as mutation analysis by next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Used in combination with Miltenyi Biotec’s GentleMacs Octo dissociator with heaters, the FFPE Tissue Dissociation kit offers a standardized protocol for the dissociation of FFPE tissues. In particular, it has been validated for the dissociation of different carcinoma entities for the enrichment of carcinoma tumor cells prior to molecular analysis. After dissociation, epitopes of the epithelial cell marker cytokeratin are well preserved. Such preservation enables the specific isolation of cytokeratin-positive carcinoma cells from bulk tumor, and ultimately enhances the sensitivity of molecular analysis of carcinomas.

The FFPE Dissociation kit allows for effective enrichment of tumor cells from dissociated carcinoma samples based on cytokeratin expression, enhanced sensitivity of DNA analysis from carcinomas with very low tumor cell content, and a standardized workflow for reproducible results.

FFPE samples are prepared for molecular analysis using only four steps:

  • Deparaffinization and rehydration of FFPE slices.
  • Heat-induced antigen retrieval.
  • Mechanical and enzymatic dissociation of tumor samples into single-cell suspensions by the GentleMacs Octo dissociator with heaters and the FFPE Tissue Dissociation kit.
  • Magnetic enrichment of tumor cells based on cytokeratin expression using the AutoMacs Pro separator and human anti-cytokeratin microbeads. Both tissue dissociation and magnetic cell enrichment are performed in fully automated processes.

The FFPE Dissociation kit has been validated for multiple carcinoma types, including breast, colon, lung, lymph node (metastases), pancreas, and prostate cancers.

For further information, visit Miltenyi Biotech.