# Tumor Model and Biospecimen Repository Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR · 2024 · $65,483

## Abstract

Tumor Model and Biospecimen Repository Core (Core C) SUMMARY
Tumor Model and Biospecimen Repository Core (Core C) led by Dr. Adel K. El-Naggar (Core Leader) and Dr.
Jeffrey Myers (Core Co-Leader), will provide H-CARR investigators with a centralized facility that ensures the
systematic collection, processing, storage, and distribution of peripheral blood, surrogate and specialized
specimens, and samples of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) from patients diagnosed, treated,
and followed at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson) at Baylor College of
Medicine (BCM). Core C also provides expert preparation and distribution of high-quality samples and ancillary
techniques to optimize utilization of patients’ materials by H-CARR investigators. Procurement and distribution
of the samples to individual investigators will follow the guidelines established by the H-CARR Center Executive
Leadership Committee and in compliance with HIPAA. Core C leadership will provide detailed pathologic
evaluation of all tumor samples to investigators through the secure pathology database system linked to the H-
CARR, database, and server. Core C will perform specialized services, including tissue microarray (TMA)
construction, qualitative and quantitative biomarker analyses both in tissue [e.g., immunohistochemistry (IHC),
Western blotting] and non-tissue (e.g., blood-based cytokine profiles) specimens, nucleic acid extractions, and
development and maintenance of cell lines. Core C will also provide well-characterized, genomically
authenticated head and neck cancer cell lines, well-characterized patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, and
heterotopic and orthotopic animal models in immunosuppressed or syngeneic mice and autochthonous tumor
models of HNSCC to investigators. The leadership and personnel of Core C and its centralized organization will
ensure the highest quality tissue samples and related analyses to all H-CARR investigators and to collaborating
researchers participating in other NIH/NCI-sponsored programs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10917408
- **Project number:** 5U54CA274321-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** ADEL K. EL-NAGGAR
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $65,483
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-20 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10917408

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10917408, Tumor Model and Biospecimen Repository Core (5U54CA274321-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10917408. Licensed CC0.

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