Biological Samples for Research

As a patient, you have the power to enhance cancer diagnostics and therapies. Frequently, your doctor may not use all the tissue they collect to diagnose or monitor your condition. Instead of throwing away what’s left of these tissue samples, you can choose to donate them to our Biospecimen Repository Facility. In addition, at times you could be asked to donate a few tablespoons of blood, saliva, or urine for specific studies. As a research participant this is always voluntary and you can always change your mind or donate at a different visit. When you do, you’re helping scientists learn more about how various factors contribute to disease progression.

At the Biospecimen Repository Facility, we collect samples and remove all identifying information. Experts use the samples and clinical data to develop better prevention strategies and early detection methods, as well as more accurate diagnostic tests and personalized treatments. With your help, we can get closer to a cure for cancer.

How to Donate

Donating a biological sample is voluntary. Contributing — or not contributing — won’t change the high-quality care you receive. No additional visits are required if you choose to donate.

The process is simple. We follow federal laws that protect your privacy and will never include your name or other personal details with your biological sample. Samples collected are de-identified, meaning the sample is given a numeric code and your information is removed.

By participating, you give permission to use any excess samples saved from your previous or future surgeries or biopsies. During a routine visit, they may collect:

• Blood samples (up to 50 milliliters — less than 4 tablespoons)
• Bone marrow samples (up to 15 milliliters during a blood cancer biopsy)
• Other samples, including urine, saliva, etc.

You can change your mind about participating at any time. If you want to withdraw from future donations, contact us at 786-527-8636, and one of our coordinators will help you.

Ways We Use Biological Samples

Researchers may use your biological sample immediately, or it may be stored for future use. Only researchers who receive approval from our Biospecimen and Data Release Committee can use samples from our lab. These scientists may use your sample to:

• Conduct genetic research: Researchers study how genes impact health and how patients respond to treatment.
• Develop new products or treatments: Investigators can use your sample to develop new products like cell lines that can reveal disease markers for research or clinical treatment.
• Enhance scientific databases: Stored genetic information can help speed up research efforts.
• Identify disease markers: Your sample can help researchers better understand why some people develop certain diseases and discover new diagnostic and treatment methods.

Benefits and Risks of Donating a Biological Sample

Because your biological sample will never include your name or other personal information, you won’t receive research results. But investigations conducted with biological samples frequently lead to new diagnostic tools, medicines, and screening strategies. So, you’ll have personal satisfaction knowing you helped advance science and improve outcomes for tomorrow’s patients.

We use a variety of security measures to protect your identity and health information. However, there is always a small risk that someone could access information about your identity, ancestry, ethnic group or health.

Questions About Research with Biological Samples

If you have questions about your rights as a research study participant or any ethical concerns, contact the Baptist Health Institutional Review Board (IRB) at 786-527-9280. The National Cancer Institute also offers more information about tissue research with biological samples.

Our Protocol Support Laboratory processes, preserves, stores, and distributes biological samples to approved researchers. As an investigator, you can be confident that we follow strict guidelines and regulations to ensure you receive the highest quality biological samples that will maximize your scientific results.

Unique Biological Samples

At Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute, we understand how vital high-quality, properly annotated and genetically diverse biological samples are for sophisticated research. The Biospecimen Repository Facility and Protocol Support Laboratory fulfill this requirement in three ways:

• We provide biological samples from one of the most ethnically and genetically diverse patient populations in the United States.
• We follow IRB-approved protocols for collecting biological samples and process them in a CAP-accredited facility.
• We use a robust Laboratory Information Management System to maintain a real-time chain of custody, pre-analytical variable tracking and request management.

Pathology Support Services

Our Biorepository and Laboratory technical staff work closely with Baptist Health’s pathology division. We coordinate services that must abide by strict regulations, including:

• Archived tissue identification and retrieval
• H&E and special staining
• Pathologist consultation
• Tissue processing, embedding, and slide preparation.

Clinical Trial and Biological Sample Support

Our Biospecimen Repository Facility and Protocol Support Laboratory technical staff work closely with clinical coordinators, nurses and physicians. We coordinate several highly detailed services:

• Archived tissue requests
• Biopsy and surgical tissue procurement
• Biospecimen collection, including blood, bone marrow, saliva, stool, urine and other samples
• Biospecimen processing of bone marrow aspirate and whole blood to isolate buffy coat, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, plasma, and serum.
• Chain of custody (tracking of collection, processing, storage and shipment events)
• De-identification of biospecimens and pathology reports
• Development of correlative science plans for investigator-initiated trials
• Spectral flow cytometry services
• Distribution of biospecimens to central and research laboratories
• Fresh tissue snap freezing
• Identification of preservation and storage methods aligned with downstream analytical platforms
• Kits management
• Laboratory manual preparation
• Pathologist slide review, including tumor content and quality control analysis
• Research protocol feasibility assessment (start-up and activation)
• Short- and long-term biospecimen storage at RT, 4°C, -20°C, -80°C and -150°C