research tissue banking

Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine

Pathology and Tumour Biology

Research Tissue Banking

Making a GIFT for the future



History

• Originally part of the Leeds Alliance site model• Set up in response to proposed new laws• To provide people opportunity to donate for research• To provide regular supply of tissues for research• Very few retrieval centres for multi tissue research

donation• Only 1 or 2 whole body banks



Research Tissues

• National shortage of research material which conforms to Human Tissue Act and is also Ethically compliant

• Sporadic availability of some tissues• Some tissues not available at all• Certain areas of research suffer• Animal, artificial and theoretical only either partially

effective in some cases not at all• Need for control tissues; TMA’s, Normal



Collections

• Investors tissues; Biomechanics, Breast Cancer Campaign, BACO, ARC

• Bespoke collections; on application

• Small one off collections; mainly control tissues



Collections

• Helps ensure donors wishes are respected, “I want to help others”

• Makes a more effective use of donation

• Prevents stock piling

• HTA compliance; don’t want another retained organs scandal



Donors

• Donors from outside the Leeds Trust transferred to St James’s Mortuary

• Trust approved Funeral Directors• Return to family choice within reason• We pay all costs• Donors are accepted out of ours and weekends

but no retrievals or transfers. The on call member of staff is available for advice via National blood Service Tissue Services.



Donors

• Need recognised diagnosis

• Few contraindications

HIV, CJD, Hepatitis,

• Prefer under 72 hrs but will take up to 4 days,

• Pre 24 hour sample desirable



Donors

• All donors have a Post Mortem examination; confirms diagnosis, adds research value to tissues

• Post Mortems by Consultant Pathologists or supervised juniors

• Results available to family; via GP or other Medical Professional



Retrievals

• Only performed in a mortuary• Mainly at St James’s Hospital but can be at Leeds

General Infirmary• Consultant Pathologist or supervised junior• Full post mortem unless limitations on consent• Majority of tissues retrieved through Post Mortem

incision



Retrievals

• T incision usually made, normal incision round head behind crown

• Hips and knees use same incision as therapeutic retrievals

• Any other incisions will be as unobtrusive as possible.

• Only take what consented• Will inform Tissue Services if new tissues to be

retrieved and how for consent/family interview



Incisions



Tissues

• Bespoke or requested multi samples from certain organs/structures;

Lung, Breast both male and female, Renal artery, brain, colorectal.

• As much tumour and/or mets as available• Bones/joints; whole spine, shoulders, temporal bones

including inner ear.• Proposed bones/joints, hips- ball and possibly socket,

knees, phalanges• Control tissues; colon, mesentery, liver, spleen



Any

Questions

?



Skull



Donors

• Reconstructed to post retrieval appearance• Relatives can view• Cremation forms completed if required• Aim for no funeral delays. • All wishes respected• All consent limitations respected/observed



Confidentiality

• All tissues anonymised, unique ID number• Non identifiable information only on secure

database• Identifiable information securely stored• Access by senior GIFT staff only• Basic data set or fully redacted information only

released• Mechanisms in place for family follow up if

necessary



GIFT Bank

• Ethically approved researchers only• Access committee• MTA’s, SLA’s• Yearly review and report• SOP’s on web site• Currently operate under Trust licenses and SLA’s

research tissue banking

Documents