THE BRAIN TUMOUR TISSUE BANK
Funded by Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada
Information for Researchers
Research on brain tumours depends on the availability of human brain tissues. Although other research models have been developed, none completely reproduce the pathophysiology of human brain tumours.
To aid researchers, the Brain Tumour Tissue Bank, located in London Health Sciences Centre in London, Ontario, Canada has been collecting human brain tumor specimens and matching clinical data for neuro-oncology research in Canada and internationally since its establishment in 1991.
A wide variety of primary and secondary brain tumours, spinal tumours, peritumours and normal brain tissues are available for molecular, protein, enzyme and immunohistochemical studies.
Interested researchers are required to fill out application forms, which are reviewed by the Medical Advisory Committee of the Bank.
Tumour specimens are supplied to qualified researchers in the hopes that some day the cause of and cure for brain tumours will be found.
TISSUE PREPARATION
The specimens are obtained immediately upon removal and processed in the operating room for optimal molecular, biochemical and histological preservation.
Depending upon the size of the removed tissue, multiple samples are prepared from each case.
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Each sample is then divided into THREE SECTIONS:
The first is cut into smaller fragments, laid along the inside of a cryotube and "SNAP FROZEN" in liquid nitrogen. These tissues are ideal for molecular and protein studies.
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The second (middle piece) is placed in formalin for H&E stained CONTROL SLIDE preparation and is examined by the neuropathologist. This process is extremely important as it enables to classify what is actually banked (eg. tumor vs necrosis), and to identify tumor gradient for infiltrative types such as gliomas. These paraffin embedded tissues are also available for research.
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The third is cryoprotected by being embedded in OCT freezing medium and frozen in liquid nitrogen. These tissues are ideal for immunohistochemical and histological studies.
QUALITY CONTROL
All of the control slides are graded by the Bank's neuropathologist as Good, Moderate, or Poor depending upon the amount of tumour present (tumour vs necrotic, fibrotic, haemorrhagic, and cauterized tissue).
In addition, all infiltrative tumours (gliomas) are graded from control slides as follows:
i) tumour centre
ii) heavy tumour infiltrate
iii) light tumour infiltrate
iv) scant tumour cells
v) no visible tumour cells
TYPES OF SPECIMENS AVAILABLE
A wide variety of brain tumour specimens are available in variable numbers, including:
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Astrocytoma
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Anaplastic astrocytoma
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Craniopharyngioma
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Ependymoma
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Ganglioglioma
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Glioblastoma
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Gliosarcoma
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Hemangioblastoma
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Medulloblastoma
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Meningioma
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Metastasis - bowel, breast, colon, kidney, lung, melanoma
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Normal Brain
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Oligodendroglioma
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Oligoastrocytoma
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Pilocytic astrocytoma
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Pituitary adenoma
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Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma
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Schwannoma
*** Matching whole blood samples and paraffin sections are also available with most cases.
Non-neuro paediatric tumours
In addition to brain tumour cases, tumor specimens from general paediatric surgeries are also banked. Quality control procedure is identical to brain tumour samples. Tissues available are:
• Ganglioneuroblastoma
• nephroblastoma
• neuroblastoma
• Wilm's tumour
MATCHING CLINICAL INFORMATION
Detailed clinical information is updated regularly and is available to researchers upon request. All information is kept strictly confidential. Unique Brain Tumour Tissue Bank numbers are used for identification purposes.
PAST TISSUE RECIPIENTS
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AMGEN Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA
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Brain Research Lab, London, ON
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Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
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CancerCare Manitoba, Manitoba, Winnipeg
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Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre, Seattle, WA
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Gliatech Inc., Cleveland,OH
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International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
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John's Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
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Kinetek Pharmaceuticals Inc., Vancouver, BC
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Lawson Research Institute, London, ON
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London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON
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London Regional Cancer Centre, London, ON
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MCH Research Institute, Montreal, Quebec
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Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
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Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, QC
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Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, QC
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Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON
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Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
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St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
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Sick Children's Hospital, Toronto, ON
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Sunnybrook & Womens College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON
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Toronto Hospital, Western Division, Toronto, ON
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TransMolecular Inc., Birmingham, AL
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University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
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University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
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University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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University of Quebec, Montreal, QC
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University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
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University of Western Ontario, London, ON
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University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
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Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
FOR MORE INFORMATION or APPLICATION FORMS
Contact:
The Brain Tumour Tissue Bank
London Health Sciences Centre
University Campus - Rm. C7-108
339 Windermere Rd.
London, Ontario
N6A 5A5
Canada
Tel (519) 663-3427
Fax (519) 663-2930
Coordinator marcela.white@lhsc.on.ca
Director david.ramsay@lhsc.on.ca
Known hepatitis or HIV positive specimens are not banked. However, application of universal precaution is highly recommended when handling human tissues.
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À 2003 Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada 1.800.265.5106
Charitable Registration #BN118816339RR0001 |