Standard operating procedures for biobank in oncology

Abstract

Biobanks are biorepositories that collect, process, store, catalog, and distribute human biological samples, and record the associated data. The role and action field of these strategic infrastructures for implementing precision medicine in translational research is continuously evolving. To ensure the optimal quality at all stages of biobanking, specific protocols are required and should be elaborated according to updated guidelines, recommendations, laws, and rules. This article illustrates the standard operating procedures, including protocols, troubleshooting, and quality controls, of a fully certified biobank in a referral Cancer Center. This model involves all clinical departments and research groups to support the dual mission of academic cancer centers, i.e. to provide high-quality care and high-quality research. All biobanking activities based on the type of biological specimens are detailed and the most tricky methodological aspects are discussed, from patients’ informed consent to specimen management.

Digital twin concept: Healthcare, education, research

“…To facilitate data consolidation, biobanks should follow common standard operating protocols and are encouraged to promote transparency and responsible use of biospecimen. 17 …”

Standardized pathology report for HER2 testing in compliance with 2023 ASCO/CAP updates and 2023 ESMO consensus statements on HER2-low breast cancer

“…Timely release of a clear, concise, and comprehensive pathology report plays a vital role in facilitating clinical decision-making [ 26 , 40 ]. To maintain quality assurance, strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) is imperative, outlining the diagnostic workflow from specimen excision to the final HER2 report [ 8 , 14 ]. Current ASCO/CAP guidelines recommend the use of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved IHC/ISH assays and periodic inspections of testing laboratories [ 80 ].…”

Impact of Cold Ischemia on the Stability of 1H-MRS-Detected Metabolic Profiles of Ovarian Cancer Specimens

“…Major limitations, deriving from both biological and experimental factors, include interindividual differences among patients, sampling variability, and a substantial lack of validated protocols for tissue handling. In addition, the effects of the time spent by a tissue specimen under conditions of warm ischemia (induced by vessel ligation and resection from the body) can be hardly predicted, because these effects depend upon the nature of the disease and the adopted surgical procedure. , On the other hand, the effects of different times of cold ischemia (CI) i.e., the time intervals from resection to fixation and/or to freezing for cryo-preservation, should be investigated to ensure high-quality -omics data. , …”

“…In addition, the effects of the time spent by a tissue specimen under conditions of warm ischemia (induced by vessel ligation and resection from the body) can be hardly predicted, because these effects depend upon the nature of the disease and the adopted surgical procedure. 19,20 On the other hand, the effects of different times of cold ischemia (CI) i.e., the time intervals from resection to fixation and/or to freezing for cryo-preservation, should be investigated to ensure high-quality -omics data. 21,22 The main objective of this study was to investigate the metabolic effects of freezing delay times and to optimize sample collection protocols for biobanking dedicated to MRS metabolomic studies.…”