An alternative protocol for DNA extraction from formalin fixed and paraffin wax embedded tissue

Background: DNA extraction from paraffin wax embedded tissue requires special protocols, and most described methods report an amplification success rate of 60 - 80%. Aims: To propose a simple and inexpensive protocol consisting of xylene/ ethanol dewaxing, followed by a kit based extraction. Method: Xylene/ ethanol dewaxing was followed by a long rehydration step and a kit based DNA extraction step. Results: This method produced a 100% amplification success rate for fragments of 121 to 227 bp for tamponated formalin fixed paraffin wax embedded tissue. Conclusion: This cost effective and non- laborious protocol can successfully extract DNA from tamponated formalin fixed paraffin wax embedded tissue and should facilitate the molecular analysis of a large number of archival specimens in retrospective studies.