The Dutch National TissueArchive Portal enables efficient, consistent, and transparent procurement of diagnostic tissue samples for scientific use

Abstract

Biobanks play a crucial role in enabling biomedical research by facilitating scientific use of valuable human biomaterials. The PALGA foundation—a nationwide network and registry of histo- and cytopathology in the Netherlands—was established to promote the provision of data within and between pathology departments, and to make the resulting knowledge available for healthcare. Apart from the pathology data, we aimed to utilize PALGA’s nationwide network to find and access the rich wealth of Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) tissue samples for scientific use. We implemented the Dutch National TissueArchive Portal (DNTP) to utilize PALGA’s nationwide network for requesting FFPE tissue samples. The DNTP consists of (1) a centrally organized internet portal to improve the assessing, processing, harmonization, and monitoring of the procurement process, while (2) dedicated HUB-employees provide practical support at peripheral pathology departments. Since incorporation of the DNTP, both the number of filed requests for FFPE tissue samples and the amount of HUB-mediated support increased 55 and 29% respectively. In line, the sample procurement duration time decreased significantly (− 47%). These findings indicate that implementation of the DNTP improved the frequency, efficiency, and transparency of FFPE tissue sample procurement for research in the Netherlands. To conclude, the need for biological resources is growing persistently to enable precision medicine. Here, we access PALGA’s national, pathology network by implementation of the DNTP to allow for efficient, consistent, and transparent exchange of FFPE tissue samples for research across the Netherlands.

Demographics and additional haematologic cancers of patients with histiocytic/dendritic cell neoplasms

“…Trends over time in LCH, JXG, or RH frequency were evaluated by Poisson regression; correlations between patients' age at histiocytosis diagnosis and their age at diagnosis of the additional haematologic malignancy were evaluated by linear regression. Information on molecular analyses was retrieved from pathology reports; for specific cases of interest, detailed molecular results and tissue slides were obtained from the relevant pathology department through the “Palga intermediary procedure”, 10 as described previously 7 . This study was approved by the Palga Scientific Council and Privacy Committee (LZV‐2016‐183) and the Institutional Review Board of Leiden University Medical Center (B19.074); the requirement for informed consent was waived.…”

Chronic Stress Related to Cancer Incidence, including the Role of Metabolic Syndrome Components

“…For the present study, the incidence of cancer (either solid, including skin cancers, or hematological) was derived from a linkage between Lifelines cohort study and Dutch Nationwide Pathology Databank (Palga), comprising most of the pathology reports [ 32 , 33 ]. Palga diagnoses are in line with the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Palga provides overviews of all new histologically or cytologically confirmed malignant tumors.…”

The validity of self-reported cancer in a population-based cohort compared to that in formally registered sources

“…PALGA is the nationwide network and registry of histopathology and cytopathology in the Netherlands, which has nationwide coverage since 1991, comprising practically 100% of the pathology reports in The Netherlands [16,17]. PALGA diagnoses are in line to the ICD-10 [16][17][18]. In the present study, the cancer diagnoses registered by PALGA Foundation were considered as the gold standard.…”