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Updated: Dec 17, 2025
An Ex vivo Model to Study Hormone Action in the Human Breast
Published on: January 8, 2015
Methodology for processing mastectomy and cryopreservation of breast cancer tissue in a resource- poor setting: A
Uzoamaka A Okoli1, Michael T Okafor2, Kenneth A Agu3
1Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Nigeria; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Nigeria.
Background:
There is scarcity of breast cancer tissues derived from women of African origin available for patient - derived xenograft and organoid models.
Objective:
We aim to create a versatile protocol for processing mastectomy and cryopreservation of breast cancer tissue.
Methodology:
An immediate collection of breast cancer tissue from mastectomy was bathed in 4 °C HBSS and immediately transferred to 4 °C RPMI1640 containing HEPES, 10% FBS, Streptomycin and Penicillin. Tissues were processed over ice yielding nine samples of cold ischemic time (20-45 min) stored at 3 min interval. Cut samples were transferred into cryovials containing 4 °C cryoprotectant agent (90% FBS +10% Me2SO) before snap -freezing in liquid Nitrogen vapour and final short-term storage in -80 °C Freezer. The histomorphology, tissue and molecular viability were assessed.
Results:
The cold ischemic times had no detrimental effect to the nine samples despite being processed in a resource poor setting, hence providing a reproducible and reliable protocol.
