Translational Pathology Core Laboratory Shared Resource (TPCL SR)

TRANSLATIONAL PATHOLOGY CORE LABORATORY (TPCL) SHARED RESOURCE ABSTRACT The Translational Pathology Core Laboratory (TPCL) Share Resource (SR), a UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) SR since 1998, provides pathology and tissue-related services that are essential for basic, translational, clinical, and population science cancer research. The TPCL SR provides a College of American Pathologists (CAP) accredited human tissue biobank, histology (animal/human; frozen/formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE), spatial gene expression analysis), immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization services (established/new antibody optimization), and pathology consultation services. The TPCL SR connects cancer researchers with supportive subspecialty pathologists and was an early adopter of digital pathology, assisting with custom digital image analysis algorithms for complex evaluations of tissue sections. The TPCL SR adapted the spatial gene expression platform Visium for FFPE specimens along with supporting the GeoMx (Nanostring) platform in a collaboration with the JCCC Genomics SR (GSR), expanded processes to identify and retrieve remnant biofluids with increased customized clinical variables, expanded research blood draw order capabilities within routine clinical lab orders, and added biofluid acquisition, processing, and storage. JCCC members receive priority services per policy and TPCL SR fees are similar to, or lower than, those of other cancer centers within the Los Angeles region. In the 2019 – 2023 reporting period, 151 unique JCCC investigators from all six Research Programs used the TPCL SR, accounting for 49% of overall utilization. This utilization supported 240 cancer-relevant publications, of which 48% were in high impact (IF ≥ 10) journals. The TPCL SR occupies 6,400 sq. ft. and is centrally located in the UCLA Center for Health Sciences Building, a less than five-minute walk from most JCCC member campus laboratories. The TPCL SR is led by Co-Directors, Samuel French, MD, PhD (STT), a gastrointestinal/liver cancer specialist, and Dawn Ward, MD (ZY), a blood bank specialist. Sepehr Hamidi, MD, a specialist in dermatology, head and neck cancers, and gastrointestinal cancers, and Imir Metushi, PhD, DABCC, FACB, with extensive experience as a laboratory director, serve as TPCL SR Associate Directors. Exciting future TPCL SR directions that support and benefit JCCC cancer research include (1) Automated immunofluorescence (IF), combined IF/RNA-in situ hybridization (ISH) staining, and expansion of RNA (F)ISH services to include miRNA detection; (2) Continuing expansion of increased clinical variable searches for remnant biofluids; (3) Facilitated use of research blood draw requests by non-clinicians; (4) Expansion of clinical annotations in the biorepository management system to include synoptic reports; (5) Upgrade and expansion of image analysis software (Visiopharm); (6) Expansion of the ongoing GSR collaboration to include CoxMx (Nanostring) and Stereo-seq platforms; and (7) Adding a dedicated staff member to assist with consenting and procurement for priority JCCC studies.