About the Cancer Moonshot Biobank
The Cancer Moonshot Biobank was started by the National Cancer Institute to help researchers better understand and treat cancer. The Moonshot Biobank asks cancer patients across the United States to donate biospecimens [NEW LINK] (blood and small pieces of tissue removed during medical procedures) and share associated health information. The Moonshot Biobank collects biospecimens longitudinally, that is, over the whole period of time that a person is getting cancer treatment. The biospecimens and associated health information will be made available to qualified cancer scientists to help those researchers learn how cancer grows and changes in people, and to help them find new cancer treatments. To make sure that cancer patients from all population groups can potentially benefit from the research, cancer patients from all communities are asked to participate in the Biobank.
The Biobank has established an infrastructure for longitudinal biospecimen collections from a patient population that is receiving standard of care cancer treatment at multiple medical institutions. The Moonshot Biobank works in collaboration with community hospitals across the U.S. to engage eligible patients and collect biospecimens and associated data. Samples are stored at a central biorepository that performs pathology quality control and distributes biospecimens. A clinical laboratory performs biomarker testing on tumor tissue and return results to the participant and their healthcare provider. The biomarker results can provide helpful information for cancer treatment decisions and may also help researchers better understand how genes within a tumor can affect cancer progression and treatment.
For more information visit: https://moonshotbiobank.cancer.gov
Cancer Moonshot℠
The Cancer Moonshot Biobank is part of a larger initiative, the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer MoonshotSM, which is intended to accelerate and advance our understanding of cancer.
Guiding Principles for Cancer Moonshot℠ Biobanking Activities [NEW LINK]
This document sets out guiding principles for biobanking activities conducted under Cancer Moonshot funds. It is included in Requests for Applications, Funding Opportunity Announcements, and Requests for Proposals.