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Role of biobanking in urology: a review
Heather J Chalfin1, Elizabeth Fabian1, Leslie Mangold1
1James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Insights
Establishing a human sample biorepository is crucial for urological research and individualized medicine. The Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute Biorepository has successfully supported prostate cancer diagnostics and research since 1994.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Translational Research
- Biobanking
Background:
- Individualized medicine necessitates robust biorepositories for clinical and translational research.
- Biobanking in urology faces significant cost, logistical, and ethical challenges.
- The Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute Biorepository was established in 1994 to overcome these barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current status of biobanking in urology.
- To outline the ethical and financial challenges associated with biobanking.
- To present solutions and describe the operational model of a successful urological biorepository.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and operational data from the Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute Biorepository.
- Analysis of challenges and proposed solutions for urological biobanking.
- Description of the infrastructure and processes supporting the biorepository's function.
Main Results:
- The Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute Biorepository has facilitated numerous research projects.
- Biorepository-supported research led to the regulatory approval of four prostate cancer diagnostic tests.
- Successful biobanking requires addressing ethical and financial deterrents with strategic solutions.
Conclusions:
- Urological biobanking is essential for advancing individualized medicine and research.
- Overcoming challenges through strategic planning and operational efficiency enables successful biorepository function.
- The Johns Hopkins model demonstrates the value of dedicated biorepositories in driving urological discoveries.
Abstract:
In the current era of individualized medicine, a biorepository of human samples is essential to support clinical and translational research. There have been limited efforts in this arena within the field of urology, as cost, logistical and ethical issues represent significant deterrents to biobanking. The Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute Biorepository was founded in 1994 as a resource to facilitate discovery. Since its inception, the biorepository has enabled numerous research endeavours including pivotal trials leading to the regulatory approval of four diagnostic tests for prostate cancer. In the present review, we discuss the current state of biobanking within urology, outline the specific ethical and financial challenges to biobanking as well as solutions, and describe the operations of a successful urological biorepository.
