Core B: Biospecimen and Pathology Core

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT of the Biospecimen and Pathology Core (BPC) The Biospecimen and Pathology Core (BPC) of the Translational Research Program in Cancer Differences across Populations (TRPCDP) will be a critical component to the success of this SPORE. The BPC has set up a robust infrastructure for biospecimen collection, processing, analysis, and access across all participating institutions. This one-of-a-kind resource will fill a significant gap in the availability of biospecimens from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who experience vastly different CRC incidence and mortality rates. The BPC will enable access to state-of-the-art laboratory technologies and provide expertise in tissue-based assays and biomarker analyses. Through multi-center efforts, Aim 1 will build a high-quality CRC biospecimen repository from well-annotated patient populations that includes blood, fresh frozen and formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor and normal tissue, saliva, urine, and stool. IRB approvals, and collaborative agreements are in place to ensure rapid execution. In Aim 2 we will process, evaluate, store, and track all biospecimens. The BPC will provide centralized pathology review, standard biospecimen processing, H&E staining, development of tumor microarrays and digital imaging. We will conduct DNA extraction, and single cell preparation. These biospecimens will be used by the four SPORE projects and be available for Career Enhancement Program (CEP) and Developmental Research Program (DRP) projects, and outside collaborations. Aim 3 will focus on data collection to acquire and harmonize demographic, lifestyle, clinical, social factors impacting health, and outcomes data. To maximize the value of biospecimens in our repository, we will conduct detailed medical chart abstraction for CRC patients and harmonize data from epidemiological studies. In Aim 4 the Biospecimen Utilization Committee will prioritize access to biospecimens and their associated data based on the merit of the proposed translational cancer research. Our multi-center committee has developed a specimen utilization plan that aims to maximize the scientific research that can be conducted using the BPC across SPORE, CEP and DRP projects, as well as outside collaborations with other SPOREs and beyond. In Aim 5 we will expand our capacity to provide access to state-of-the-art technologies to meet the needs of all SPORE, CEP, and DRP projects. The BPC, through its incorporation with existing Fred Hutch Shared Resources, has access to a large array of cutting-edge technologies and is at the forefront of developing novel technologies, such as Akoya PhenoCycler (formally CODEX), NanoString GeoMx and CosMx, and the 10x Genomics single cell RNA sequencing platform. These and other technologies are available to support SPORE, CEP and DRP projects. The BPC will be led by two board-certified pathologists and the team will include experts from all collaborating centers to coordinate all efforts. We have the expertise and through our P20 planning phase (P20CA12958081) we have the track record to successfully build this unique repository of CRC patient populations to successfully support CRC research.