Critical Resources Provided by UNMC RAP Biorepository Stimulate Cancer Research

Project Summary The highly innovative Rapid Autopsy Program (RAP) addresses a major limitation in pancreatic and prostate cancer research: the lack of quality human specimens of cancer representing all stages of disease. This program, led by Dr. Paul M. Grandgenett, which includes rapid collection of large quantities of all organs and fluids within 5 hours of death, is a unique program in the world and is designed to maintain cellular and molecular integrity of the tissue. The RAP is a core component of the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Pancreatic Cancer Research program and the GU Oncology Focus Group, that is tasked with the collection, archiving and distribution of tissues and fluids from patients that have recently passed with pancreas or prostate cancer. The Unit Director of the Pancreatic Cancer Research program at the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is Dr. Michael A. Hollingsworth, while the prostate group is led by Dr. Surinder Batra and Dr. Shawna Boyle. Dr. Grandgenett, a Research Associate Professor under Dr. Hollingsworth's aegis, is the director of the RAP and the applicant for this Research Specialist Award. The rapid autopsy program operates within the Pancreatic Cancer Research Program at UNMC and is important to and currently funded in part by: a pancreatic cancer SPORE p50 grant; ongoing and pending P01 and U01 grants and several R01 grants to individual investigators. Dr. Grandgenett personally directs the collection of primary tumor, residual unaffected tissues, distant metastases, all unaffected tissues, as well as fluids such as blood and ascites for all PDAC and Prostate cancer patients. He has also established an extensive normal tissue acquisition program that is highly utilized. Dr. Grandgenett determines in advance how specific samples will be prioritized based on the needs of funded projects both at UNMC and at other institutions. Currently, Dr. Grandgenett provides fresh samples to multiple laboratories, at UNMC and outside-UNMC, conducting research on blood-based biomarkers (proteins, RNA, DNA), circulating tumor cells, patient-derived modeling including organoids and xenografts, and other processes. The remaining samples are snap frozen, maintained in long-term storage and made available through request and collaboration for local, national and international cancer studies. Key roles of Dr. Grandgenett is to coordinate the training and participation of the thirty RAP volunteers and to work with collaborators to determine the samples necessary for their research project, to modify our SOP as needed to obtain those samples, confirm specimen quality and then to distribute those samples to investigators. It is essential for the leadership of this resource to be a highly trained Research Specialist with extensive experience through participation in the autopsies, a comprehensive knowledge of patient sample availability, as well as the ability to interact on a scientific level with each investigator. Dr. Grandgenett has a major role in all aspects of the collection, processing, annotation and distribution of these biospecimens and plays a vital role in expanding collaborative projects with investigators at UNMC and on a national and international level.