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Biospecimens

The Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion (LCRP) plays an important role in cancer research by collecting tissue samples, called biospecimens, which help researchers study how cancer develops, grows and spreads so they can find new methods of prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. The LCRP has been collecting biospecimens since January 2008.

Tissues removed during surgery are first studied by a pathologist to make a diagnosis based on the cells seen in the tissue. Oftentimes, there is excess tissue after a complete diagnosis has been made, which is typically disposed of. However, with LCRP's tissue banking program, a patient can now choose to donate any remaining tissue for research with written consent (giving permission) prior to surgery.

The LCRP sends tissue samples to the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) and H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute's Total Cancer Care (TCC) program in Florida. MCG houses the statewide repository of tissue samples as a part of the Bio-Repository Alliance of Georgia for Oncology (BRAG-Onc). The aim of the alliance is to foster cancer research in the state of Georgia.

The LCRP is a participant in the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP), which assesses how the National Cancer Institute's guidelines for collecting and storing biospecimens can be applied nationwide to benefit the entire cancer research community. The overall goal of the NCCCP, in relation to biospecimens, is to standardize the collection, storage and handling of biospecimens to provide researchers with high-quality samples to conduct research.