Abstract
Tumor banks have the primary responsibility for collecting, cataloging, storing and disseminating samples of tissues, cells and fluids, which are used by researchers to identify diagnostic molecular markers, prognostic indicators and therapeutic targets. The objective of this review was to describe a simple, reliable and reproducible protocol for obtaining and storing samples of urological tumors. Urogenital tumor tissues were collected by the surgeons from the Urology Division of University of Sao Paulo Medical School. The obtained surgical specimens were immediately placed in liquid nitrogen, dry ice or in a tube containing RNAlater, and then stored by cryopreservation (-80 degrees C). A mirror fragment was fixed in 10% formalin processed routinely and embedded in Paraplast. We developed a protocol for the collection, cataloging, storage, conservation and use of tumor samples. During a period of one year the Urological Tumor Bank of the Urology Division stored 274 samples of prostate, bladder, kidney, penis and testicle tumors of different histological types, 74 urine and 271 serum samples. Having biological materials characterized and available along with the clinical patient information provides an integrated portrait of the patients and their diseases facilitating advances in molecular biology. It also promotes the development of translational research improving methods of diagnosis and cancer treatment.
Highlights
According to the Council of Europe, (1997), in Commentary 137 to article 22, “a tumor bank is an organization responsible for collecting, cataloging, storing and disseminating samples of tissues, cells and fluids for the investigation of diagnostic molecular markers, definition of prognosis and identification of therapeutic targets [1], for facilitating the discovery of new therapies and new drugs, and for other applications yet to be discovered” [2].All organs of the urogenital tract are potential targets of malignant tumors, and prostate cancer has the higher incidence, there is a need for the study of tumors of the bladder, kidney, urethra, testicles and penis to help optimize methods to be applied in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of these diseases
The tumor bank of the Urology Division at the University of Sao Paulo Medical School (USPMS) was established in 2008 and differs from the other banks by storing only samples of urological tumors, in order to increase the number of basic studies and clinical research
The objective of this review was to describe a simple, reliable and reproducible protocol for obtaining and storing samples of urological tumors; to clarify basic concepts related to tumor banks, their organization, relevance, quality and ethics; and to describe the tumors in the bank created by the Urology Division of USPMS
Summary
According to the Council of Europe, (1997), in Commentary 137 to article 22, “a tumor bank is an organization responsible for collecting, cataloging, storing and disseminating samples of tissues, cells and fluids for the investigation of diagnostic molecular markers, definition of prognosis and identification of therapeutic targets [1], for facilitating the discovery of new therapies and new drugs, and for other applications yet to be discovered” [2].All organs of the urogenital tract are potential targets of malignant tumors, and prostate cancer has the higher incidence, there is a need for the study of tumors of the bladder, kidney, urethra, testicles and penis to help optimize methods to be applied in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of these diseases. Two principles are fundamental for good basic and clinical research: the accuracy of clinical information and outcome of patients treated by cancer and the quality of tumor samples that will allow the search for molecular abnormalities involved with neoplastic development and progression. A tumor bank with an effective protocol allows researchers to store and access tumor tissue samples under ideal conditions for research and recovery of patient data [3]. This systematic organization of information allows the development of cancer research with solid scientific conclusions [4]
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