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Makhlouf H, Watson MA, Lankes HA, Weil C, Dickler M, Birrer M, Moskaluk C, Ramirez NC, Okby N, Alonsozana E, Barnes M, Goldman EB, Enos R, Lubensky I. Toward Improving Practices for Submission of Diagnostic Tissue Blocks for National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials. Am J Clin Pathol 2020; 153:149-155. [PMID: 31613330 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqz141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The National Cancer Institute (NCI) National Clinical Trials Network performs phase II and III clinical trials, which increasingly rely on the submission of diagnostic formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks for biomarker assessment. Simultaneously, advances in precision oncology require that clinical centers maintain diagnostic specimens for ancillary, standard-of-care diagnostics. This has caused tissue blocks to become a limited resource for advancing the NCI clinical trial enterprise and the practice of modern molecular pathology. METHODS The NCI convened a 1-day workshop of multidisciplined experts to discuss barriers and strategic solutions to facilitate diagnostic block submission for clinical trial science, from the perspective of patient advocates, legal experts, pathologists, and clinical oncologists. RESULTS The expert views and opinions were carefully noted and reported. CONCLUSIONS Recommendations were proposed to reduce institutional barriers and to assist organizations in developing clear policies regarding diagnostic block submission for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hala Makhlouf
- Cancer Diagnosis Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
| | - Mark A Watson
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO
| | - Heather A Lankes
- Biopathology Center, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Carol Weil
- Cancer Diagnosis Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
| | - Maura Dickler
- Breast Medicine Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Michael Birrer
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Charlottesville
| | - Christopher Moskaluk
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville
| | - Nilsa C Ramirez
- Biopathology Center, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Nader Okby
- Department of Pathology, Orange Regional Medical Center, Middletown, NY
| | | | - Mark Barnes
- Ropes & Gray LLP and Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center, Harvard University/Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | | | - Irina Lubensky
- Cancer Diagnosis Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD
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