Mo1318 Mutational Analysis From Cell-Free DNA in the Diagnosis of Biliary Strictures

Accurate diagnosis of biliary strictures remains a challenge. Despite advanced and targeted methods of sample acquisition, improved cytologic criteria and even the addition of molecular markers such as chromosomal aneuploidy by FISH diagnosis of malignancy remains difficult. One of the reasons for this may be the pauci-cellular nature of biliary malignancies. Therefore, we hypothesized that cell free DNA from supernatant fluids associated with biliary brush specimens may overcome this limitation. Our goal was to evaluate the feasibility of isolating sufficient DNA for mutational analysis and to examine the potential benefit of adding this modality to brush cytology and FISH analysis.