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 tissue and 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. 
