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Biological Sample Collection to Advance Research and Treatment: A Fight Osteosarcoma Through European Research and
Darrell Green1, Roelof van Ewijk2, Elisa Tirtei3,4
1Biomedical Research Centre, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma are bone tumors mostly diagnosed in children, adolescents, and young adults. Despite multimodal therapy, morbidity is high and survival rates remain low, especially in the metastatic disease setting. Trials investigating targeted therapies and immunotherapies have not been groundbreaking. Better understanding of biological subgroups, the role of the tumor immune microenvironment, factors that promote metastasis, and clinical biomarkers of prognosis and drug response are required to make progress. A prerequisite to achieve desired success is a thorough, systematic, and clinically linked biological analysis of patient samples, but disease rarity and tissue processing challenges such as logistics and infrastructure have contributed to a lack of relevant samples for clinical care and research. There is a need for a Europe-wide framework to be implemented for the adequate and minimal sampling, processing, storage, and analysis of patient samples. Two international panels of scientists, clinicians, and patient and parent advocates have formed the Fight Osteosarcoma Through European Research consortium and the Euro Ewing Consortium. The consortia shared their expertise and institutional practices to formulate new guidelines. We report new reference standards for adequate and minimally required sampling (time points, diagnostic samples, and liquid biopsy tubes), handling, and biobanking to enable advanced biological studies in bone sarcoma. We describe standards for analysis and annotation to drive collaboration and data harmonization with practical, legal, and ethical considerations. This position paper provides comprehensive guidelines that should become the new standards of care that will accelerate scientific progress, promote collaboration, and improve outcomes.
Insights
New European guidelines standardize bone sarcoma sample handling for research. These standards aim to improve biological analysis, accelerate progress, and enhance outcomes for osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Cancer Research
- Biobanking
Background:
- Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma have poor survival rates, especially in metastatic cases, with limited success from targeted and immunotherapies.
- Progress is hindered by a lack of understanding of biological subgroups, tumor microenvironment, metastasis, and biomarkers.
- Disease rarity and challenges in sample processing impede crucial clinical and research analyses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish Europe-wide reference standards for the adequate and minimal sampling, processing, storage, and analysis of bone sarcoma patient samples.
- To facilitate advanced biological studies and clinical care by addressing logistical and infrastructural challenges in sample handling.
- To promote collaboration and data harmonization through standardized analysis and annotation practices.
Main Methods:
- Formation of two international consortia (Fight Osteosarcoma Through European Research and Euro Ewing Consortium) involving scientists, clinicians, and patient advocates.
- Sharing of expertise and institutional practices to formulate new guidelines for bone sarcoma sample management.
- Development of standards for sampling (including liquid biopsies), handling, biobanking, analysis, and annotation, considering practical, legal, and ethical aspects.
Main Results:
- New reference standards for adequate and minimally required sampling, handling, and biobanking of bone sarcoma tissues.
- Guidelines for analysis and annotation to drive collaboration and data harmonization.
- A framework for a Europe-wide system for patient sample management in bone sarcoma research.
Conclusions:
- Implementation of these comprehensive guidelines as new standards of care is essential for accelerating scientific progress in bone sarcoma.
- Standardized practices will promote collaboration among researchers and clinicians.
- Improved sample management and analysis are expected to enhance outcomes for patients with osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.
