Biospecimen Procurement and Molecular Epidemiology Resource

The Biospecimen Procurement and Molecular Epidemiology Resource (BioMER) provides HCCC members with IRB-compliant, clinically annotated, quality-ensured biomaterials to facilitate research objectives. These materials include tissues which are distributed as fresh, frozen or paraffin-embedded specimens, and serum, plasma and germline DNA, all linkable to tumor samples and clinical data catalogued in coordination with the tissue. The BioMER uses a single unified biorepository consent that allows current and future use of tissue for research, permissions to link that tissue to clinical data, and to recontact the patient for additional studies. All newly diagnosed patients with appropriate histologies as selected by the investigators are approached for informed consent. Following enrollment, serum, plasma, buffy coat and peripheral blood DNA (at diagnosis and selected longitudinal time points) are collected, as is excess surgical tissue (tumor and normal) from resections and biopsies. The BioMER also offers meticulous collection of longitudinal clinical data, linked as needed to biospecimens. BioMER staff abstract clinical information including tumor stage, histology, lab and imaging data, treatment modality, treatment response, events (progression, death) and comorbidities. In general, clinical information on each subject is updated 2x/year for three years, then annually. Psychosocial data including quality-of-life analyses are collected longitudinally. The clinical data are periodically validated to enable their readiness for analysis without investigators needing to return to the medical record. The BioMER is responsible for providing a single point of entry for investigators requesting specimens for research use. The BioMER is vital to multiple projects that rely on biospecimens linked to clinical data and supports research in all four research programs.