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Rapid autopsies to enhance metastatic research: the UPTIDER post-mortem tissue donation program
Tatjana Geukens1,2, Maxim De Schepper1,3, Wouter Van Den Bogaert4
1Laboratory for Translational Breast Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
NPJ Breast Cancer
|April 24, 2024
Summary
The UPTIDER program successfully collected numerous metastatic breast cancer samples post-mortem. Organ cooling minimized tissue degradation, enabling the creation of valuable ex vivo models for precision medicine research.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Genomics
Background:
- Metastatic cancer research is limited by scarce tissue samples.
- Understanding disease progression and treatment resistance requires comprehensive molecular data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the UPTIDER program for post-mortem breast cancer tissue donation.
- To assess the impact of post-mortem interval on tissue and fluid sample quality.
- To establish ex vivo models from metastatic breast cancer biopsies.
Main Methods:
- Established the UPTIDER post-mortem tissue donation program.
- Collected metastatic breast cancer tissue and liquid samples.
- Evaluated RNA quality, transcriptional profiles, and immunohistochemistry.
- Tested the effect of organ cooling on sample preservation.
- Generated ex vivo models from diverse breast cancer subtypes.
Main Results:
- Collected a median of 31 metastases and 5-8 liquids per patient.
- Demonstrated minimal impact of post-mortem interval on sample integrity with organ cooling.
- Successfully generated viable ex vivo models from various breast cancer subtypes.
Conclusions:
- The UPTIDER program significantly enhances sample availability for metastatic cancer research.
- Post-mortem tissue and fluid samples are suitable for molecular analysis and model generation.
- This resource will advance understanding of metastatic breast cancer and support precision medicine.
