Cancer is not a uniform disease. Every tumor is genetically unique - even tumors of the same type differ considerably in their molecular composition from patient to patient. This heterogeneity is the reason why cancer research relies on large collections of carefully characterized tumour samples: Only with statistically sufficient samples can molecular patterns be recognized, biomarkers identified and new therapeutic approaches developed.
Cryopreservation is the method of choice for preserving tumor tissue in a state that enables high-resolution molecular analysis even years or decades after removal. Tumour biobanks - specialized cryobanks for oncological material - are therefore indispensable infrastructures for modern cancer research.
Freshly resected tumor tissue is divided into aliquots and shock-frozen immediately after surgical removal. Rapid processing is crucial: RNA and proteins begin to degrade within minutes of removal.
Samples of metastases allow the comparison between primary tumor and metastatic tissue - an important research approach to understand the mechanisms of metastasis.
Serum, plasma and buffy coat (the leukocyte-rich layer) are routinely collected. They contain circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) and biomarkers that are relevant for the liquid biopsy.
For genomic analyses, a sample of the surrounding healthy tissue is always required in order to distinguish somatic mutations of the tumor from germline variants.
The time between collection (ischemia time) and cryopreservation is the most critical quality parameter. International guidelines recommend a cold ischemia time of maximum 30 minutes for genomic and maximum 60 minutes for immunohistochemical analyses.
For certain applications - in particular the production of viable single cells or the establishment of organoids - controlled freezing in the Controlled Rate Freezer is essential. The BIOFREEZE® from Consarctic® offers the necessary precision and reproducibility for this.
Tumor biobanks must be able to store samples for decades. The Consarctic® BSD+ and BSF+ stainless steel tanks are designed for this long-term perspective and offer the necessary temperature stability and reliability.
Projects such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) have genomically sequenced thousands of cryopreserved tumor samples, identifying hundreds of cancer driver genes. Without cryostorage, this research would have been impossible.
Cryopreserved blood samples enable the retrospective search for biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis and therapy prediction. If a new biomarker is discovered, archived samples can be tested retrospectively.
Molecular profiling of the individual tumour from cryopreserved tissue is the basis of personalized oncology: the right therapy for the right patient at the right time.
Consarctic® supplies numerous oncology centers and tumor biobanks with the cryogenic infrastructure that makes this sophisticated research possible:
Every tumor sample that is carefully cryopreserved today could provide the key to a new therapy or a life-saving biomarker in the future. The quality of cryotechnology determines whether this potential is preserved.
Are you planning to set up or expand a tumor biobank? Contact our experts for a tailor-made cryo solution that meets the highest scientific and regulatory requirements.