International Research Agenda oncology collection

7.08.2020

In the first days of July, the collection of biological material samples from cancer patients at the MUG, exceeded 1000 donors. A total of 13,150 samples of blood, plasma, skin, tumor and healthy tissue were collected for patients. By constant patient recruitment, the collection has potential on soon becoming one of the largest oncology collections in Poland.

A specialized research unit of the Medical University of Gdańsk, the International Research Agenda – Medicine Laboratory 3P started its activity in September 2018 by implementing a research project entitled Mutations acquired during lifetime that lead to increased risk for human disease, with focus on cancer. The main goal of the program was multi-level research on genetic anomalies acquired during life as risk factors for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. The research required the collection of well described, high-quality clinical material from patients with different types of cancer and at different stages of the disease. To start research as soon as possible, biobanking was launched as one of the first in the program.

The collection of material began in May 2019 in five partner units: University Clinical Center in Gdańsk, Oncology Center in Bydgoszcz, the National Institute of Oncology at the National Research Institute, Department in Krakow, University Hospital in Krakow and Specialist Hospital in Kościerzyna, from patients with four types of diagnosis. Samples are collected according to protocols prepared by International Research Agenda employees in cooperation with pathomorphologists and surgeons. In addition, over 70 members of medical personnel and administration employees are involved, and the collecting process itself has been largely automated by provided equipment infrastructure and an IT system for dispersed biobanking in hospital units. The specialized IT tool was created in cooperation with the Bioenit Jakub Szymanowski company.

In the first stage, samples were taken from female and male patients with breast cancer, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Independent recruitment to the control group was also conducted. In 2020, two new diagnoses were added: pancreatic cancer and metachronic metastasis from the colon to the liver. From September, patients with kidney cancer and patients undergoing mammoreduction procedures will be recruited.

International Research Agenda – Medicine Laboratory 3P was established thanks to funds provided by the Foundation for Polish Science as part of the International Research Agendas program, financed by the European Regional Development Fund, the Intelligent Development Operational Program.

(From the left) leader of the biobanking group Natalia Filipowicz, Ph.D.; deputy head of the IRA unit Prof. Arkadiusz Piotrowski, Ph.D.; head of the IRA unit Prof. Jan Dumański, Ph.D; IRA project coordinator Agata Wojdak M.A.; biobanking technician Kinga Drężek M.A.