Ovarian Cancer Canada Tissue Banking Network
The Ovarian Cancer Canada Tissue Banking Network collects ovarian cancer tissue samples from 800 to 1,000 women annually. Tissue samples and their accompanying data are made available to scientists and physicians who are conducting ovarian cancer research.
Samples collected include blood, cells from normal ovaries, tissues from benign, borderline and malignant ovarian tumours of all subtypes, as well as the cells and fluid contained in ascites. Specific information on patients and samples are recorded in an extensive database that captures details such as histologic subtypes, stage and grade of tumours, and surgery and treatment dates.
Samples and data from the tissue banks have helped test new drugs and improve understanding of ovarian cancer. In addition to promoting ovarian cancer research in Canada and internationally, the tissue banks have helped support more than 450 research projects over the past decade.
Among the many projects that make use of the tissue banks, the Canadian Ovarian Experimental Unified Resource (COEUR) is a partnership with Terry Fox Research Institute exploring subtypes of ovarian cancer and biomarkers that have potential to help inform treatment decisions on the path to personalized care.
Background
Starting as a pilot project in 2000, the Tissue Banking Network initially encompassed sites in Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto. In 2008, it grew to include the ovarian tumour banking network in Quebec. The Tissue Banking Network expanded to Edmonton in 2017.
Today, all major cities in Canada are banking ovarian cancer samples and Ovarian Cancer Canada provides funding to tissue banks within:
- BC Cancer Agency
- University of Alberta
- Ottawa Regional Cancer Agency
- Centre hospitalier universitaire de Montréal (CHUM)
The Ovarian Cancer Canada Research Committee is responsible for ensuring communication and cohesion among the banks to avoid duplication of studies and learn from best practices.
To read more about Ovarian Cancer Canada Tissue Banking Network and its impact to date, please download the progress report.
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