Public Oncologic Serum Biobank

Project description The aim of our work has been to build and to strengthen a Public Oncologic Serum Biobank (BPMSO) that collects and stores high quality biosamples with corresponding clinico-pathological associated data, providing an invaluable resource of information for research on cancer and discovering serum tumour biomarkers. The primary goal for the biobank establishment was to invite and recruit patients with “clear cell type Renal Carcinoma”, in any stage of the disease and undergoing different types of treatment, for which serum levels of different cytokines were measured, in order to understand how these molecules are associated with, not only early diagnosis of this tumour type but also with the outcome of treatment. All patients had previously consented to participate signing a written IC document. All clinical and epidemiological data are gathered by well trained professionals. These data are saved and stored in a secure way – link anonymizedso as to protect patient ́s privacy and confidentiality respecting data access rules. Clinical patient ́s medical records are periodically revised as to be sure the databases are reviewed and updated. Between the different molecules described in “renal cell carcinoma”[1, 2, 3], it seems clear to us that many can be involved in metabolic pathways deregulation[4, 5], but carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) and angiopoietin-2 (Ag2) have been demonstrated to have an active and prominent role[6, 7]. As a “Public Oncologic Serum Biobank” associated research project, our multidisciplinary research team has focused in studying different and circulating serum biomarkers in patients with renal carcinoma. So far, the Public Oncologic Serum Biobank has collected the number and type of biosamples as indicated below:

focused in studying different and circulating serum biomarkers in patients with renal carcinoma.
So far, the Public Oncologic Serum Biobank has collected the number and type of biosamples as indicated below: • Renal Cancer: 270 • Breast Cancer: 68 • Ovarian cancer: 10 • Donor Volunteers: 78 • N° Total alicuots: 9394 Every research protocol requesting samples from our biobank, must always be previously submitted to the IRB for approval.
Even though we have not yet established in our Best Practices, how long the biosamples will be stored, and also if the leftover material might be re-used once the samples has been utilized by the researchers, we work in close collaboration with the Research Ethic Committee (REC) for open consultation concerning this issue and others that might arise in the course of biobanking management.

Public Oncologic Serum Biobank
Pedro Rondot Radío 1 and Lydia Puricelli 2 Start date: March 2008.End date: not applicable (the prospective cohort will be followed-up as long as possible); this implies that we do not have any time limitation for data and sample collection process.
(2) Methods Venous blood samples (15-20 ml) are collected by venipuncture from recruited patients and donor volunteers, in 10 ml tubes with beads as clot activator and without any anticoagulant, after an overnight fast.

Stabilization/preservation
The samples are transported to the laboratory for processing as soon as possible.
The blood is left to stand for 10 min at room temperature and then centrifuged in a hematologic refrigerated centrifuge( 4°C) (3000 rpm x 10 min).
Serum is fractionated in sterile conditions (SBC: Security Biological Cabinet), in approximately 20-22 aliquots of 400 ul each.

Type of sampling
Prospective population cohort, not only from cancer patients but also healthy donors.

Disease status of patients/source
Patients with cancer, before going to surgery or any other kind of treatment (QT); registering all events occurring during their treatment follow-up.

Clinical characteristics of patients/source
All Cancer patients aged >18-70 at enrolling time since 2009.Personal and health data retrospective and prospectively collected.

Vital state of patients/source
• Living patients and healthy controls.
• Personal clinical records, with periodic and timely reviewing every 4-6 months, for data up-date.

Clinical diagnosis of patients/source
For cancer and other clinical or comorbid conditions, confirmation is made through medical records.

Pathology diagnosis
• Available through medical records.

Control samples
Most of the cohort volunteers are healthy women and men, who donate blood at the "hemotherapy and transfusion department.

Biospecimen type
Only serum for the moment.We plan to store plasma and buffy-coat too, in the near future.
Size of the bioresource 582 participants at present; collecting project still continuing.

Release date
Cancer serum biosamples are already available to be distributed and used by the research community at large, national and international.

Access criteria
According to national law and local IRB, every research group (public or private; national or international) is entitled to apply for a research project through a formal local application designed with that purpose (objectives; type and number of samples requested; data needed; timetable); the PI must present an approved research protocol, and all legal and ethical authorizations must be provided.
In the case of transferring samples across borders, signing a MTA is necessary.
As a cost-recovery plan, a financial contribution is asked in the case of biosamples transfer or shipment.

(4) Reuse potential
Researchers must use the samples and associated data respecting the Data Privacy Local Act, in accordance with the MTA which must be signed in total agreement between the parties.
Grant PICT 2008-Minister of Science and Technology, Argentina.The Public Oncologic Serum Biobank is a not for-profit organization that has been established within the academia setting since 2009, which aims to prospectively collect and store serum samples from cancer patients and volunteers and their associated clinical and epidemiological data, with the ultimate goal to distribute them to the local and international research community focusing in understanding and improving cancer diagnosis and treatment.Cancer research; Serum Biomarkers as prognostic indicators in cancer patients, for an earlier diagnosis and with the aim to implement a better personalised theraphy.