Access Requirements and Priority

Access to the CHTN is provided to any investigator who signs the agreements regarding biohazards and commercial use (See CHTN Application Form) and who provides a summary of the project for which the tissue is requested. Patient identity or other identifying information cannot be provided to investigators. This ensures complete confidentiality regarding medical information of patients. In addition, a copy of an approval of the research obtained from the investigator's local institutional review board (IRB or human use) is required for all projects. (See CHTN Policy for IRB Approval)

Investigators are obligated to acknowledge the CHTN in any publications that result from their use of specimens received through the CHTN. Recommended wording to the methods or acknowledgement section is as follows: Tissue samples were provided by the Cooperative Human Tissue Network which is funded by the National Cancer Institute. Other investigators may have received samples from these same tissues.

Tissues are provided on a rotating basis and given a priority as follows:

• First priority is assigned to peer-reviewed funded investigators, including investigators from Federal and National laboratories.
• Second priority is assigned to developmental and new investigators and investigators developing new projects in academic centers or non-profit research institutions.
• Third priority is assigned to other investigators including those who are associated with for-profit research institutions.

Each division uses some discretion to determine special exemptions to this priority policy. Investigators may appeal priority assignments to the coordinating committee or the NCI representative.

Canada is the only foreign country for which tissues are provided (via the Midwestern Division). Requests from other countries will not be filled.

EXPECTATIONS

The CHTN seeks to provide tissues to the widest group of investigators practicable. In this regard no investigator should expect to have access to unlimited numbers of malignant specimens of one type. If you require large numbers of specimens and/or extensive patient data, you may need to contact the NCI Tissue Expediter (e-mail tissexp@nih.gov), consult the NCI Specimen Resource Locator, or identify local sources for your specimens and data. The CHTN attempts to provide each investigator with as many specimens as equitable. Investigator access to increased numbers of specimens is improved by requesting as small a specimen as possible. For example, investigators requesting a minimum of 10 grams of one tumor would have access to only a very limited number of specimens, while investigators requesting a minimum of .5 gm. of tumor would have access to many more samples. Access to specimens varies according to the surgical schedules and autopsy rates and is thus, not predictable. Therefore, investigators requesting fresh specimens should make every effort to use these specimens when they are made available. Investigators may be charged a processing fee for specimens collected according to their protocol that are refused.

For comments or concerns about this web site please contact: Steve Marroulis at marrouliss@imsweb.com