Purpose
- The purpose of storing samples is to facilitate laboratory based research into haematologic malignancies (eg leukaemias, lymphomas and myelomas, etc).
- The function of the CCB is to provide samples from patients with these diseases, for use in approved research projects—thereby facilitating a wide range of research activities.
- The ultimate goal of facilitating such research is to improve our understanding of the processes leading to the development of haematologic malignancy, factors which govern the variable response to current treatments and ultimately the development of more effective therapies for patients suffering from haematologic malignancy.
Operations
The CCB operates within Cancer Services is overseen by the CCB Management Committee—made up of haematologists and interested professionals.
The CCB operations have been reviewed and approved by the Metro South Health HREC. All policies abide by the National Statement.
Sample types and time points
All available CCB sample holdings are from consented participants who have been diagnosed with a haematological malignancy. Bone marrow and peripheral blood biospecimens are only obtained when a patient/participant undergoes diagnostic and/or follow-up procedures as part of their specific treatment plan.
Wherever possible, a selection of sample types are made from the donated bone marrow and peripheral blood (see the disease/classification table below).
Time points where bone marrow and/or peripheral blood are routinely collected on participants include:
- diagnosis/baseline (Dx)
- post induction
- post consolidation
- relapse
A participant may have one, some or all time points stored, and may be undergoing either standard treatment for their disease or be enrolled on a specific clinical trial.
Disease/classification
Bone marrow, peripheral blood, processed into vials to: | By product: | For lab studies, for example: |
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Trizol | RNA | Gene expression |
Cell pellet | DNA | Genomic studies |
Plasma aliquot and/or serum | Plasma or serum | Cytokines, proteomics |
Cryopreserved cells | Viable cells | Cell culture, in vitro drug effects |
Other sample types held: | By product: | For lab studies, for example: |
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Lymph nodes | DNA | Genomic studies |
Other tissue (site) biopsies | DNA | Genomic studies |
- The above list is not exhaustive—other tissue sources may be collected dependent on specific research requirements (eg CSF, FFPE, saliva, buccal (cheek) cells or hair follicles).
- Processing methodologies in the CCB have been chosen to ensure highest quality for each sample type.
The above details may require refinement or clarification by direct communication with CCB staff. Please contact the CCB Manager directly to discuss further.
- When you contact the CCB, an initial database search is carried out by CCB staff.
- This search will provide current patient and sample numbers.
- Researchers can narrow this search to be further project specific, by requesting inclusion or exclusion criteria such as specific WHO classifications, specific time points, biospecimen and sample types, and pertinent pathology test results required.
- For further detail on specific holdings or for a more comprehensive breakdown of biospecimen /sample types available for research projects please contact the CCB Manager directly.
Contact