PDX/Biospecimen Core

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Summary: Core B provides part of the infrastructure support for Projects 1 - 3. It has been designed to meet the needs of these projects and serve as a stand-alone resource for collaborative efforts with others. This Core will provide a well-organized and standardized system of specimen collection, storage, distribution and related clinical/research information dissemination that is based on over two decades of experience. There will be consistency and quality assurance in the pathological analysis of tissue specimens. This Core has 5 components: 1. Maintain and Distribute Patient-Derived Prostate Cancer PDX models 2. Collect and Distribute Biospecimens 3. Establish and Maintain Specimen Quality and Core B Service Efficiency Programs 4. Provide Specialized Pathology and Laboratory Services 5. Administrative Program to prioritize the distribution of specimens, ensure patient confidentiality and compliance with IRB requirements, continually improve quality control measures and interact with other researchers. Specimens of LuCaP series of prostate cancer xenografts from our repository have been and will continue to be distributed to P01 projects and to other prostate cancer investigators on an international basis. Relevance: The performance of translational research mandates that investigators have ready access to well documented clinical specimens and relevant biological models. Core B directors have decades of experience in recognizing these needs and providing such services not only to local investigators but to those who request specimens on a world-wide basis. These interactions will continue and will truly enhance the translational aspects of the P01.