Abstract P2-16-03: Creation of a “state-of-the-art” breast cancer data and biobank in Argentina
Authors: Margossian AL , Gutierrez C , Saadjian H , May M , Ohanessian R , Bacigalupo S , Baravalle S , Margossian J , Osborne KC , Scheurer ME 
Published: August 2014

Translational cancer research is highly dependent on having large series of cases with high-quality samples that were collected, processed, stored and annotated in a systematic fashion according to international standards, such as the ISBER Best Practices for Biorepositories. Sharing successful strategies between the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) Cancer Center and Breast Center Buenos Aires (BCBA), we created this Argentinean biobank complete with breast cancer-oriented data, tumor and normal breast tissue and matched blood specimens according to best practices to facilitate international collaborative translational breast cancer research.

Objective: Creation of a blood, breast tissue and tumor biobank in Argentina for research purposes with associated epidemiological, pathological, clinical, and follow-up data.

Methods: Consented individuals from BCBA are classified by treating physician in four categories: 1) breast cancer; 2) benign breast disease by biopsy; 3) high-risk for breast cancer according to the Gail Model; and 4) healthy controls. Blood is collected at several time points during the breast cancer disease process: pre-surgical, pre-systemic treatment, and, if applicable, in the metastatic setting. Blood products are stored as whole blood, plasma, buffy coat, red blood cell pellet, serum and clot at −80°C or at room temperature in GenPlates. Fresh tissue and tumor sample is collected during surgical or core biopsy proceedings and stored at −80°C and paraffin embedded. Upon enrollment, participants complete an extensive epidemiological and risk factor questionnaire, which is supplemented by medical record abstraction for relevant pathological and clinical data. Participants are also re-contacted once a year for follow-up.

The creation of this biobank in 2009 included the preparation and adaptation of the following processes from the Population Science Biorepository and Smith Breast Center Tumor Bank at BCM, including: 1) IRB-approved informed consent documents with specific language relevant to DNA-based research; 2) Epidemiological and risk factor questionnaires (10-page Core module and 6-page Breast module); 3) Blood and tissue collection protocols, sample processing, sample bar coding and participant/sample registration system; and 4) Web-based data management system, specifically designed for this biobank with encryption and data security (details presented in a separate abstract), including role-based access levels personal health information.

Conclusion: We started our endeavor in August 2008. The development of the consent forms, two questionnaires, and biobank database prototype took one year at BCM. The translation of consents and questionnaires into Argentinean Spanish took an additional 3 months. Overall the Argentinean IRB approval process, training personnel, and equipment set-up lasted for 14 months. By April 2011, the first Argentinean participant was consented into the biobank. It took nearly 3 years from inception to realization for this biobank; however, the potential benefit to translation breast cancer research is large. The overall value of this biobank will depend on the number of individuals/samples accrued and the number of years of follow-up attained.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-16-03.