The Pivotal Role Of Standardization In FFPE Tissue Block Collection

By Abdul Ally and Danny Schindel

The process of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedding (FFPE) emerged in the late 19th century as a valuable histological method for stabilizing and preserving the morphology and cellular details of tissue samples.  In 2017 the human tissues segment was estimated to account for the second largest share of the global biobanking market by sample type. This is attributable in large part to the expanded use of these tissues as molecular biomarkers of disease, primarily in oncology, using immunohistochemical and genetic-based assay systems.