A Comparison of Two Different FFPE Tissue Dissection Methods for Routine Diagnostics in Molecular Pathology: Manual Macrodissection versus Automated Microdissection Using the Roche “AVENIO Millisect” System

Abstract

Currently, in routine diagnostics, most molecular testing is performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue after a histomorphological assessment. In order to find the best possible and targeted individual therapy, knowing the mutational status of the tumour is crucial. The “AVENIO Millisect” system Roche introduced an automation solution for the dissection of tissue on slides. This technology allows the precise and fully automated dissection of the tumour area without wasting limited and valuable patient material. In this study, the digitally guided microdissection was directly compared to the manual macrodissection regarding the precision and duration of the procedure, their DNA concentrations as well as DNA qualities, and the overall costs in 24 FFPE samples. In 21 of 24 cases (87.5%), the DNA yields of the manually dissected samples were higher in comparison to the automatically dissected samples. Shorter execution times and lower costs were also benefits of the manual scraping process. Nevertheless, the DNA quality achieved with both methods was comparable, which is essential for further molecular testing. Therefore, it could be used as an additional tool for precise tumour enrichment.