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Specimen Processing
An Overview of Our Specimen Collection and Processing Procedures


Consenting Patients

We consent active cancer patients being treated in community-based medical oncology clinics.  We collect samples from newly diagnosed hematology and oncology patients at initiation of treatment, at each treatment cycle, and in follow-up.


Collecting Blood Tubes

During each patient's routine venipuncture, we collect 4.0ml K2EDTA and 4.0ml Lithium Heparin blood collection tubes. Post venipuncture, these collection tubes are refrigerated at 4ºC at the clinical site.  The following day, the collection tubes are transported to the Open Biosystems central laboratory.


Processing Specimens

Once the collection tubes arrive at the Open Biosystems lab they are centrifuged.  The resulting plasma is aliquoted in 500ml units into 1.0ml barcoded cryovials.  The resulting buffy coat is aliquoted in 300ml units into 1.0ml barcoded cryovials.  The barcoded cryovials are then frozen at -80ºC in electric freezers.  The total elapsed time from patient venipuncture to freezer storage is a maximum of 24 hours.


End Products

Standard Products:  We provide 500ml plasma and 300ml buffy coat samples to cancer researchers worldwide.  Each sample is accompanied by detailed, but anonymous, clinical data including patient diagnosis, demographics, and treatment.  An example of our clinical data can be found at http://openbiosystems.com/Conversant/ClinicalDataSample/.  Since we collect longitudinal samples, we are able to provide researchers with a view of the entire continuum of treatment.  Since we work with community-based physicians, our bank offers a wide variety of disease stage, treatment status, and disease type. 

Special Collections:  Some of our clients require specialized collection tubes, protocols, molecular derivatives, and patient types to be collected on a prospective basis.  We have the ability and expertise to provide many alternatives, so please contact us to discuss your special collection projects by calling 1-888-412-2225.

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