# Biospecimen Acquisition, Processing and Classification Unit

> **NIH NIH U2C** · SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH · 2021 · $227,351

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY (Biospecimen Unit)
MSKCC is one of the largest and busiest cancer centers in the world, ideally positioned to support
generation of comprehensive Human Tumor Atlases. On an annual basis MSKCC sees over 620,000
outpatient visits, performs over 21,000 surgeries, and conducts over 460,000 diagnostic and
interventional radiology procedures. Collectively, these resource strengths indicate we have the
patient volumes and expertise to obtain the samples required for comprehensive profiling of the
transition from a primary tumor to metastasis. This proposal seeks support for the generation of
comprehensive atlases of Lung Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, and CNS Metastases. These represent
common clinical scenarios, critical unmet needs, and areas in which MSKCC already has existing
deep and broad research programs. Thus, the goal of this Biospecimen Unit is to acquire, annotate
and supply high quality biospecimens to support creation of these three Atlases. First, we will
establish a prospective, high quality biorepository from surgically resected or biopsy materials of lung
cancer, pancreatic cancer and CNS metastases with the goal of obtaining temporal information
regarding the transition from primary tumor type to metastasis. Next, we will establish a high quality
biorepository of postmortem derived tissues of patients with lung cancer, pancreatic cancer or CNS
metastasis through a research (warm) autopsy program. This approach will allow collection of both
temporal and spatial information regarding the transition from primary tumor type to metastasis in
different organ sites in the same individual. Finally, we will optimize methodologies for isolation of
single cells and cross validate these methods with collaborating institutions based on the rationale
that the optimal methods for single cell isolation are likely tissue-type and context specific. Ultimately,
we aim to inform collaborative efforts and future planned studies of these and additional tumor types
through the HTAN.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10249191
- **Project number:** 5U2CCA233284-04
- **Recipient organization:** SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH
- **Principal Investigator:** Christine A Iacobuzio-Donahue
- **Activity code:** U2C (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $227,351
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10249191

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10249191, Biospecimen Acquisition, Processing and Classification Unit (5U2CCA233284-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10249191. Licensed CC0.

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