The Hereditary Cancer Institute (HCI) Repository was established by Dr. Henry T. Lynch, the world- known scientist in Hereditary Cancer Research in 1976.
It is hard to underestimate the magnitude of the collections and the wealth of information (such as demographic, clinical, and pathologic data, family history, medical, lifestyle, and treatment history) associated with the biosamples.
Every year the Tissue Culture Laboratory processes blood samples from more than 200 patients in order to establish lymphoblastoid cell lines or to freeze untransformed lymphocytes for future research. The HCI Repository has IRB approval for the collection, storage, and distribution of biosamples. In addition to IRB review and approval, the Repository has own guidelines and procedures in place to protect patient confidentiality. Before researchers/collaborators request samples, they must have IRB approval, and sign the “Biological Agreement” covering the legal issues associated with the use of biosamples.
A critical part of the Repository design is a protection of privacy of the samples source, accuracy, and security of the Database system. The personnel routinely run queries against the system to find data that are inconsistent.
The sample storage depends on sample type and preservation condition. Repository personnel monitor storage conditions daily. Creighton University physical plant, R& D CryoSolution Inc, and Electronic Solution Co. are on call for regular maintenance and repair.
The Repository has fully integrated quality control, a quality assurance system and standard operating procedures. Quality assurance is fundamental to the successful operation of the biosamples Repository. It begins with the laboratory training before all personnel begin to work with biosamples and continues through every operating procedure. The use of protocols for entering data, collection, storage, processing, and distribution of specimens allow the lab to perform at a high level of quality. Periodic auditing, inventories, and certification of the location, identity, and quality of specimens ensures the quality and integrity of samples.
All freezers, liquid nitrogen tanks, and incubators are connected to an emergency generator services and to an alarm system 24 hours a day. The Repository has a back-up freezer, liquid nitrogen tank, CO2 tank, and incubator available at all times. At present time the Repository contains a unique set of more than 25,000 samples: lymphoblastoid cell lines, fibroblasts, DNA samples, fresh frozen tissue samples, formalin tissue, blocks, slides, saliva, serum and plasma samples taken from individuals at different times in their lives.
Cancer Type # of Biosamples in Storage
Breast: 12762
Colon: 8998
Pancreatic: 2171
Hematological: 632
Clinic: 893
Other: 176
01/01/1986 to the present (1-1-2004)
• More than 5,500 individuals donated samples.
• More than 12,000 biosamples were received.
• More than 100 collaborators are received the biosamples from Repository
