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Information
for Pathologists
In recent years, cancer research has
started to shift from using cell lines and animal models to human tissues. Due
to the change in the pattern of research, investigators often request that
pathologists provide human tissue that is to be discarded. Through the
establishment of the tissue core facility, the tissue can be stored in a manner
suitable for the use by investigators.
College of American Pathologists (CAP) in their feature story of March 2003
quoted “ You now need human tissue to mine the data that have evolved from the
human genome project”. It also states that the need for human tissue for
research is constantly increasing.
Tissue Services Core can provide tissue for research purposes as follows:
- Tissue
Core Facility - To provide
an organized and monitored process for collecting, processing, archiving,
and distributing human tissueand biological samples with relevant
clinical data for research.
- Utilization
of Archival Paraffin Embedded Tissue for Research - To provide an organized
and monitored process for processing, archiving, and distributing Formalin
Fixed Paraffin Embedded Tissue (FFPET) with relevant clinical data for research.
Tissue
Core Facility:
After acquiring proper IRB approval, solid tissue will be transported
as soon as possible from operating room, on ice, to the pathology grossing
room. A pathology assistant or resident pathologist will examine the
tissue, for gross abnormalities. Tissue required for diagnosis will be
collected. Remaining tissue that is not required for diagnosis will be
cut into small aliquots for snap freezing in liquid nitrogen, frozen
after embedding in OCT, stored in culture media and stored in formalin.
Body fluids will be collected and transported to the facility where
they will be processed and stored according to a standard protocol.
Relevant clinical data will be collected from the medical records.
A
request from an investigator for tissue and/or body fluids will be
submitted to the Tissue Services Core. After proper evaluation by TSC
advisory committee the tissue and clinical data without any Protected
Health Information (PHI) will be
distributed to the investigators.
Utilization
of Archival Paraffin Embedded Tissue for Research:
Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded Tissue (FFPET) represents a
valuable and vast resource that allows investigators to apply modern
molecular biological approaches to address important pathological
questions. Recently FFPET has been successfully utilized for gene
expression studies. Utilization of paraffin blocks for research depends
on various factors such as storage guidelines issued by regulatory
agencies, medical/legal issues, and database management. Clinically
acquired FFPET is usually stored for 10 years following guidelines issued
by the College of American Pathologists. Many pathology groups discard
the blocks after that time. To prevent loss of this valuable resource,
TSC sorts, archieves and utilizes the blocks for research.
Conclusion:
- The tissue that is to be discarded
after grossing will be collected, processed and used for research.
- IRB approval for the Tissue Core
Facility is required before starting tissue collection.
- Investigators would receive
required tissue and relevant clinical data without PHI.
- Tissue will not be sold. Processing
and administrative cost will be charged to the investigators
- Instead of discarding the paraffin
blocks, they will be used for research purposes.
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