Biospecimens are biologically-derived materials, such as tissue, blood, urine, used for diagnosis and analysis. When cancer patients undergo procedures such as biopsies or surgery in which malignant tissue is removed for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, it is often possible for a small amount of the excised specimen to be stored and later used for research. Samples from both diseased and unaffected normal tissues are often required. Biospecimens are stored in “libraries” known as biobanks or biorepositories.

The main goals of our biorepository are to store and process samples collected from        ongoing studies in a way that maximizes the amount of information obtained from each sample, makes possible future analysis for currently unknown biomarkers and minimizes research costs for future studies. Samples obtained in some of the studies are available on a one time-only basis making it critical to handle and store these precious samples carefully.

With the emergence of new molecular tools such as real-time PCR and DNA/RNA microarrays, the variety of types of samples collected for epidemiological studies has expanded. The various tissues obtained from non invasive methods are buccal epithelia, saliva, nasal epithelia, urine and urothelial cells, cord-blood, hair, finger nails, cervical epithelia, and extracted teeth. Other tissues obtained from invasive methods are blood, breast duct epithelia, bronchial, oesophageal, and GI epithelium, adipose tissue, lymph node, bone marrow, and amniotic fluid.

Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPET) are increasingly used for analysis of gene expression. While FFPET can be used for immune-histo-chemistry, certain DNA-based assays, and even RNA, frozen tissues are best suited for isolation and characterization of proteins and RNA. Freezers, back-up systems, monitors, and alarm systems and appropriate physical security are available for long-term storage of frozen tissues.

The ultimate progress in the cancer diagnosis and therapy has only been possible with the ongoing translational research that is likely to play a very important role in future as well. Accordingly it has become more important to collect tumor samples along with the clinical information in a systematic manner to perform a good basic science research in future. With a population of over a billion and a heavy burden of cancer, India has the 'biggest' potential to establish the 'largest' tumor bank across the globe.

We offer a highly-controlled management solution for short-term and long-term temperature-controlled storage needs. Our outsourced services provide you with multiple, state-of-the-art, purpose-built biorepository, offering real-time tracking of stored biological samples and 24-hour retrieval of biomaterials. Secure storage is offered under the following conditions:
  
• Ambient (20° C to 25° C) 
• Refrigerated (2° C to 8° C)
• Frozen/Ultra-Low (-20° C to -70/-80° C)
 
Our sample storage services have:

• Regulatory compliance
• Guaranteed sample integrity
• Secure inventory management through LIMS.
• Same-day retrieval of materials
• Cost savings  

Triesta has taken on many challenging projects to work together with MNCs.  Few study examples include:
 
• Provides tissue samples from surgical resection specimens linked to clinicopathologic data    while maintaining patient confidentiality.
• Assists clinical trials in the collection and processing of blood and tissue samples. 
• Assists in the retrieval of archival histologic slides and tissue samples from the    Department of Pathology.
• Offers histology-based research services to support basic, translational and clinical    research.
 
Labeling of all samples and data forms with bar-coded ID  labels.  Files linking identity with bar-coded ID labels are maintained securely in a locked facility and a password protected database, with access limited to the research data manager.

Current projects include protocols to collect fresh, frozen breast and colon tumor samples for prospective analysis.

Triesta has a tissue bank of 215 prospective samples of breast cancer and 120 samples of colorectal cancer. Each patient logged in the biorepository has fresh frozen tissues, FFPE blocks, blood, buffy coat, plasma and serum samples both pre and post surgery with  follow up clinical data for 5 to 10 years. This collection is in the process of expansion.

Expanding the tissue biorepository to include other cancer types is in the pipeline.

A Bio-Repository Ethics Committee, constituted as per ICMR Guidelines (2006, Page 71) approves all translational research projects involving stored samples. Stringent SOPs, processes and strict adherence to ICMR guidelines are followed at this bio repository at Triesta. All protocols, informed consent process and all documentation and publication of all research is governed by ICMR Guidelines (2006, Page 71) for biomedical research on stored human samples.

Several contract research and collaborations were initiated and completed between Oct 2006 to date and some are on-going, with top ten multinational companies conducting biomarker-driven clinical trials in the Indian Oncology sector (some details can be provided under a Confidentiality agreement).

We provide tissues to investigators in the following priority order:
 
• National and Internationally funded Research Organizations
• Clinical collaborators
• R&D programs

For More Information on Triesta Bio-Repository Contact: Click here

ICMR Ethical Guidelines for Bio Medical Research (ICMR Guidelines (2006, Page 71)): http://icmr.nic.in/ethical_guidelines.pdf