Standard Preanalytical Coding for Biospecimens: Defining the Sample PREanalytical Code

Abstract

Background: Management and traceability of biospecimen preanalytical variations are necessary to provide effective and efficient interconnectivity and interoperability between Biobanks.Methods: Therefore, the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories Biospecimen Science Working Group developed a "Standard PREanalytical Code" (SPREC) that identifies the main preanalytical factors of clinical fluid and solid biospecimens and their simple derivatives.Results: The SPREC is easy to implement and can be integrated into Biobank quality management systems and databases. It can also be extended to nonhuman biorepository areas. Its flexibility allows integration of new novel technological developments in future versions. SPREC version 01 is presented in this article.Conclusions and Impact: Implementation of the SPREC is expected to facilitate and consolidate international multicenter biomarker identification research and biospecimen research in the clinical Biobank environment. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(4); 1004-11. ©2010 AACR.

Enhancing translational research in paediatric rheumatology through standardization

“…26 The main goal is to control variability and limit how it might affect downstream analytic results. It is possible to significantly reduce preanalytical variability by developing quality assurance and quality control measures specific for each type of sample or analyte, and to partner that with an informatics infrastructure capable of collecting the data needed to rigorously annotate the biospecimen collection and storage processes.…”

“…The guidelines list critical data elements that include general information for consistent documentation of categories of biospecimens and factors that might influence the integrity, quality, and/or molecular composition of biospecimens. Standardizing and codifying these elements for reporting and communication in scientific publications 26 will serve to complement existing reporting recommendations. Tools to facilitate these processes are being developed, such as the Sample Preanalytical Code (SPREC), a specimen barcode with details about preanalytical sample processing.…”

“…Tools to facilitate these processes are being developed, such as the Sample Preanalytical Code (SPREC), a specimen barcode with details about preanalytical sample processing. 26 Recognizing and documenting these critical elements will further support evidencebased biobanking, foster collaborations between biobanks, add rigor to scientific reporting, and also empower all stakeholders involved in translational research by recognizing the importance of every step in biospecimen management.…”

A critical analysis of cancer biobank practices in relation to biospecimen quality

“…This seven-element code differs slightly for fluids and solid tissues and is designed to integrate into biobank quality management and inventory systems (Betsou et al 2010). The SPREC was updated in 2012, in response to user feedback and a broadening of its scope (Lehmann et al 2012), and is now incorporated, in compliance with the aim of the Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure (BBMRI), into the Swedish data set MIABIS (Minimum Information About Biobank Information Sharing) (Norlin et al 2012) and interfaces with protocols submitted to the Molecular Methods Database (Klingström et al 2013).…”

Overcoming challenges in the acquisition of biospecimens for rare diseases

“…The NCI Biorepositories and Biospecimen Research Branch (BBRB), formerly known as OBBR) developed BRISQ to guide researchers and publishers of scientific literature in the proper inclusion and interpretation of information about the source and handling of the biospecimens that form the basis of scientific manuscripts [11]. The ISBER Biospecimen Science Working Group developed SPREC to help biobankers and researchers capture essential biospecimen protocol information in order to provide information to researchers about the conditions under which research biospecimens were collected and thus provide some indication of the relative biomolecular quality of samples [12].…”