Tissue Banking Marilyn Mason, Ph.D. January 14, 2009

Human Biological Specimens  Any material derived from a human subject—such as blood, urine, tissues, organs, hair, nail clippings, or any other cells or fluids  Whether collected for research purposes or as residual specimens from diagnostic, therapeutic, or surgical procedures  Does not include fungi, viruses, bacteria, etc.

Non-Banked (Stored) Human Biological Specimens Human biological specimens collected under a VA-approved protocol that are used for only the specific purposes defined in the protocol and are destroyed when the specific testing/use is completed or at the end of the protocol

Banked Specimens  Biological specimens collected and stored for future research purposes that are beyond the scope of work described in the original protocol and informed consent OR  Biological specimens collected under a protocol designed for banking of specimens

New Handbook  Establishes policies and procedures for the collection of human biological specimens for research purposes, the re-use of previously collected research specimens, and the storage of human biological specimens for future research use.  Addresses the collection and storage of clinical and research data that may be linked to those specimens.

New Handbook, cont’d  Went into concurrence the beginning of September 2008  Is being revised based on feedback and will go back into concurrence in about a week  New policies regarding banking at for-profit companies will not be implemented until after handbook has been approved  Current requirements found on ORD web site

Guidance Documents  Guidance, application forms, and checklists will be in guidance documents that will be posted on the ORD web site when the handbook is approved and posted.  If there is anything you would like us to include in the guidance, please let me know.

What Handbook Covers  Non-banked specimens sent outside of the VA for analyses/testing  Specimens banked at a VA facility –PI-dedicated biorepository –Shared biorepository  Specimens banked outside of the VA –At non-profit or academic institution –At for-profit company

Banking at For-Profit Companies  VA PI must obtain approval from Central Office  Company must enter into a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the VA  Banking must be part of an interventional clinical trial that is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov

Banking at For-Profit Companies, cont’d  Banking must not be a requirement of participation in the trial  A separate consent form for banking is required  Banked specimens must be labeled with a code that does not contain any of the 18 HIPAA identifiers before they leave the VA

Banking at For-Profit Companies, cont’d  The HIPAA authorization must have an expiration date  Company may have a limited data set, if they sign a data use agreement  Individual raw genetic data resulting from company’s analyses must be encrypted according to FIPS standards  Company may share specimens only with its affiliates (not with other parties)

On-Site Biorepositories  Must have a master banking protocol (We are currently developing a template.)  Must undergo an annual compliance audit (ACOS/R will determine who will perform the audit at his/her facility.) We will provide a checklist. The results must be sent to ORO and ORD.  Two types: PI-dedicated and shared

On-Site Biorepositories, cont’d  For shared type –If samples shared with investigators outside the VA, then must use materials transfer agreement (MTA) or MT CRADA. –For data (de-identified or limited data set) leaving VA, a data use agreement (DUA)/data transfer agreement (DTA) is required.

Background Information  Regulations  Biorepository best practices  Survey of veterans on their attitudes about genomic medicine  Genomic data in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) databases

Regulations  Common Rule (38 CFR Part 16)  HIPAA Privacy Rule (45 CFR 164)  VHA Handbook Privacy and Release of Information  VHA Handbook Requirements for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research  VA Handbook Information Security Program

Biorepository Best Practices  International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) “2008 Best Practices for Repositories”  National Cancer Institute Best Practices for Biospecimen Resources (June 2007) actices_ pdf actices_ pdf

Survey of Veterans  >900 veterans from across the country, who receive care through the VA, completed a survey on their attitudes about genomic medicine  Included in the survey were questions about use of biological specimens for genetic studies by VA researchers, university researchers, and drug companies

Survey of Veterans, cont’d  83% veterans agreed that the genomic medicine program should be done  71% were willing to participate  Majority of veterans thought that the following types of researchers outside of the VA should have access to VA samples and data (in order listed): –US academic or medical centers –Other health-related government agencies –US pharmaceutical companies

Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS)  A genome-wide association study is defined as any study of genetic variation across the entire human genome that is designed to identify genetic associations with observable traits (such as blood pressure or weight), or the presence or absence of a disease or condition.

GWAS Data  A research team at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) has developed bioinformatics techniques so that with enough genomic data on an individual from another source, it is possible to determine if that individual participated in the study by analyzing the pooled data.

GWAS Data, cont’d  As a result of this, in August, NIH modified part of its policy for posting and access to genomic data in its GWAS databases.  White paper at

GWAS Data, cont’d  To protect research participant privacy, NIH removed aggregate GWAS files from the public portion of its databases.  The data is still available to researchers, but they must now apply for access to the data and sign a data use agreement, in which they agree to protect the confidentiality of the data.

Addition to Tissue Banking Team  Kristina Hill, MPH, has joined our staff.  She is processing off-site tissue banking applications so that we can reduce the turnaround time.  Kristina is also helping prepare the guidance documents. 

Contact Information   Phone:  Fax: