It’s imperative in clinical trials, exploratory studies, proof of concept analysis, and research & development to attain samples which are best suited for desired outcomes. Both processing types preserve specimens well, but which to leverage is contingent upon intended application.
FFPE
Advantages:
- Can be stored at room temperature for long durations of time
- Cost-effective
- Beneficial for IHC staining
- Widespread availability
Disadvantages:
- Formalin is toxic and generally unsuitable for molecular analysis
- Processing protocols are not standardized, leading to samples being processed in differing manors. It is important to have a biorepository that implements stringent QA and QC processes
Flash Frozen
Advantages:
- Well suited for molecular analysis; such as DNA/RNA quality and extraction as well as gene expression and sequencing
- Preserves specimen integrity and molecular viability
- Well suited for mutation analysis
Disadvantages:
- Deteriorates at room temperature
- Elevated shipping cost
- Unsuitable for IHC staining
Which preservation method do you prefer when conducting research? Why?