Cooperative Human Tissue Network

The Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN) is a unique NCI-supported biospecimen resource initiated by Cancer Diagnosis Program (CDP) in 1987.  Its mission is to increase access to high quality human tissue by prospectively procuring human biospecimens for cancer and non-cancer research upon an investigator request. The CHTN is public resource, open to the entire scientific community. The emphasis of the CHTN  is on the collection of specimens for basic and early translational research, as well as assay development. The CHTN consists of six academic institutions/Divisions accredited by the College of American Pathologists. The Principal Investigators of each Division are Board-certified Pathologists. The procurement of biospecimens covers a wide range of sample types from all organ sites, including tumor and matched normal tissue, normal tissue, blood/derivatives, fluids, and DNA/RNA. Various processing methods of tissue are offered, such as frozen, formalin-fixed/paraffin-embedded, and fresh. Most samples are procured from the primary surgical procedure. Biospecimens are usually de-identified and include basic demographic information and pathology report (diagnosis, stage, grade). Although most samples are provided without clinical information, CHTN can conduct chart reviews in consented patients if requested by the investigator. 

The CHTN is supported by awards under RFA-CA-23-024.

National Clinical Trials Network Biobanks

The National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) Biobanks (NCTN Biobanks) receive, store, and distribute well-annotated human biospecimens procured from cancer patients participating in large randomized, multicenter phase II and III NCTN clinical trials and NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) trials. The goal is to enable biomarker discovery and validation, and improve cancer treatment. These high-quality biospecimens are annotated with associated clinical information and outcome data. They provide researchers with a unique resource that is available to investigators in the research community.

Collectively, the NCTN Biobanks house solid tumor, blood, and fluid biospecimens from all organ sites, as well as hematological malignancies. Investigators may search for “legacy” biospecimens as well as digital pathology images (DPI) available for secondary correlative studies through the NCTN Biospecimen Catalog.  The search results direct researchers to the appropriate trial and provide further details on how to obtain specimens and submit a request. Requests for biospecimens are made either through the NCTN Navigator or directly from the NCTN Group, depending upon the specific trial. In both instances, investigators will be provided with a feasibility assessment and cost estimate upon review of the request.  NCTN biospecimens are available to investigators from the cancer research community based on a review and approval by the NCTN Core Correlative Sciences Committee (NCTN-CCSC). Visit the NCTN Biobanks page for information on how to access specimens. 

The NCTN Biobanks are currently supported by awards under RFA-CA-20-002.
 

NCI Early-Phase and Experimental Therapeutic Clinical Trials Biobank

The NCI Early-Phase and Experimental Therapeutic (EET) Clinical Trials Biobank (EET Biobank) procures, processes, stores, and distributes high-quality, clinically annotated human biospecimens from cancer patients enrolled in NCI-supported phase 0, I, and II ETCTN (Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network) trials.

The collected biospecimens are available for distribution to qualified investigators conducting NCI-supported ETCTN clinical trials, as well as select investigators who do not conduct NCI- ETCTN trials. These specimens can be used at NCI-approved reference research laboratories and institutions for correlative studies and the early clinical evaluation of innovative cancer therapies.

EET Biobank at a Glance

• Location and Accreditation:
  • Housed at the Biopathology Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, OH.
  • CAP-BAP accredited and LAP/CLIA certified.
• Core Functions:
  • Procures, processes, banks, and distributes clinically annotated human biospecimens.
  • Supports NCI Phase 0, I, and II ETCTN trials, including CIMACs-CDIC and other experimental therapeutic trials.
• Biospecimens:
  • Collects a wide range of cancer types: breast, lung, colon, prostate, leukemia, melanoma, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, etc.
  • Specimens are collected at multiple time points using trial-defined specialized collection kits.
• Linked to detailed data: Surgical, pathological, and radiological reports.
• Clinical data: Drug information, treatment histories/outcomes, and recurrence data.
• Application:
  • Validate biomarker assays for ETCTN and other studies.
  • Assess drug target engagement, mechanisms of action/resistance, PK/PD of therapeutic agents.
  • Enhance patient selection for clinical trials.
• Distribution:
  • Provides biospecimens and digital pathology images to investigators.
  • Includes downstream testing materials (e.g., unstained slides).

The EET Biobank operates under the U24 Cooperative Agreement grant (RFA-CA-20-003).
 

NCI Specimen Resource Locator

The Specimen Resource Locator (SRL) is a database of human biospecimen resources for investigators open to anyone in the scientific community.

The SRL includes a variety of biospecimen resources such as tissue banks and tissue procurement services that may have collections of samples for investigational use. Scientists may search SRL for specimen resources by tumor type, specimen type, tissue preservation, and specimen annotations. Normal, benign, pre-cancerous and/or cancerous human tissue and other specimens are available directly from the biospecimen resources listed in SRL (researcher needs to contact the biospecimen resource directly).

Repository managers of US publicly funded repositories who wish to make biospecimens more widely available to the cancer research community may submit an inquiry to add their repository to the SRL database.

Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) Breast Cancer Plasma Samples

The CPTAC network collected clinical plasma samples were collected from approximately 1,700 patients undergoing breast biopsies. Collection consists of one sample per patient across four collection sites, using a common collection protocol. Accompanying each sample is a set of clinical patient data covering the demographic, medical history, pathology report, and sample processing variables that can be downloaded. In addition, SOPs for the collection, processing and storage of plasma samples were developed and available upon request.