Application of laser capture microdissection in genetic analysis of neuroblastoma and neuroblastoma precursor cells

Recently developed quantitative and high-throughput technologies that allow automated and rapid screening of the whole genome, transcriptome and proteome have revolutionized the field of cancer genetics. At the same time, new challenges are met, e.g. the need for improved data analysis and standardization of tumor sample handling. Even if these issues are resolved, an 'old' problem in genetic tumor analysis remains, i.e. contamination of tumor samples by stromal and surrounding normal cells. To overcome this obstacle, laser capture microdissection (LCM) has been developed in order to procure the cells of interest from stained tissue sections with retention of morphology. In this review we describe the possible down-stream applications of LCM in the genetic analysis of neuroblastoma (NB). Special focus is given to MYCN copy number determination using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR), analysis of 1p-, 3p- and 11q-deletions using loss of heterozygosity analysis and Q-PCR expression analysis of microdissected normal neuroblast cells and NB cells.