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National Access Project for Cancer Testing Sample Requirements
All samples must be accompanied by a pathology report. Tumour samples should be fixed in 10% buffered formalin
optimally for no longer than 48 hours. If fixation was longer than 48 hours, please notify us as this can lead to
sub-optimal assay performance due to degradation of DNA templates.
In addition please consider the following sample requirements.
1.
Decalcified FFPE samples cannot be accepted.
2.
Blocks from resection specimens should have a minimum of 1cm x 1cm tissue content (for small
biopsies the nearest amount to this specification is acceptable).
Samples sent for testing should consist of at least 70% viable tumour cells for optimal assay performance.
When sending cores, the corresponding H&E slide should be from the pre-cored section of the tumour with the site of
coring circled on the slide.
Options for Sample Submission
I. Submit an FFPE block– This is our preferred form of receiving tumour samples.
An H&E slide will be prepared and examined by a Contextual Genomics pathologist. Cellularity, necrosis and tumour
content will be evaluated prior to sectioning for nucleic acid extraction. If appropriate, a core will be taken rather than a
scroll to ensure highest tumour content is captured.
All blocks will be returned to the referring center once results have been issued.
II. Submit sections, scrolls, or cores from tissue block
In situations where submission of a FFPE block is not possible an H&E slide or a digital image from the same FFPE block
is required. A Contextual Genomics pathologist will review the slide or image to assess cellularity, necrosis and tumour
content to ensure sample suitability.
Sample request is designed to enable us to perform requested assays twice, if necessary, without having to request
more material. Unused material will be returned.
Contextual Genomics Inc.
Suite 204 – 2389 Health Sciences Mall,
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3
Tel: 778-379-2931
Fax: 778-379-3567
[email protected]
V2.0 20150326
IIA. For Lung cancers for which both mutation testing and gene fusion analysis are required
please send materials in one of the following forms:
1. Scrolls
4 x 1.5 ml centrifuge tubes containing 5 scrolls each of 5µm sections
OR
4 x 1.5 ml centrifuge tubes containing 3 scrolls
each of 10µm sections
2. Unstained slides
10 slides of 10µm sections
OR
20 slides of 5µm sections
3. Cores
4 or more cores of 0.6mm diameter or greater in a 1.5 ml centrifuge tube (slide with site of coring required or unstained
section post coring)
If the sample’s tissue (or tumour) content is small additional scrolls or sections may be requested at the discretion of the
Contextual Genomics pathologist.
When an H&E slide or image is not available there will be the additional requirement of sending an unstained 5µm
section slide for analysis.
IIB. For all other cancers or for lung cancers for which gene fusion assessment is not required
please send:
1. Scrolls
2 x 1.5 ml centrifuge tubes containing 5 scrolls each of 5µm sections
OR
2 x 1.5 ml centrifuge tubes containing 3 scrolls
each of 10µm sections
2. Unstained slides
5 slides of 10µm sections
OR
10 slides of 5µm sections
3. Cores
2 cores of 0.6mm diameter or greater in a 1.5 ml centrifuge tube (slide with site of coring required or unstained section
post coring)
If the sample’s tissue (or tumour) content is small additional scrolls or sections may be requested at the discretion of the
Contextual Genomics pathologist.
When an H&E slide or image is not available there will be the additional requirement of sending an unstained 5µm
section slide for analysis.
Contextual Genomics Inc.
Suite 204 – 2389 Health Sciences Mall,
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3
Tel: 778-379-2931
Fax: 778-379-3567
[email protected]