Core 2: Biospecimen, Metabolomics, and Pathology Core

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The goal of the Biospecimen, Metabolomics, and Pathology Core (BMP Core) is to create a federated, multi-institutional resource to provide high-quality, clinically annotated biospecimens, metabolomic analyses, and expert pathology review to all research projects in this SPORE application as well as future SPORE-sponsored DRP and CEP projects, while serving as an unparalleled biospecimen resource to the broader endometrial cancer research community. The Core will provide specific tissue and biosample-related services for each SPORE project. In addition, the BMP Core will prospectively build a biospecimen resource bank at WUSTL, OUHSC, and UNM by identifying cases of new and recurrent endometrial cancer at the participating institutions and facilitating the consent and procurement process. Tissue and fluid biospecimens from these patients will be collected, processed, and stored by leveraging the extensive infrastructure of existing biorepositories at the participating institutions. Clinical data will be collected prospectively by integrating with and extending existing clinical databases. Interactions with the Biostatistics Core will ensure interoperability of data tables maintained at each institution. The BMP Core will provide access to the world-class Center for Metabolomics and Isotope Tracing at WUSTL. Validated methods for sample processing and preservation, focused on optimizing metabolic analyses, will be provided to increase the scientific utility of all biospecimens collected. A transparent and fair mechanism to publicize existing biospecimen resources and evaluate any request for their use will be implemented. As such, the BMP Core will supplement existing cancer center resources with focused expertise and effort to comprehensively collect, annotate, quality review, and distribute biospecimens specifically for translational endometrial cancer research.