Comprehensive biobanking to enhance precision medicine in head & neck cancer through systematic sample collection & data integration

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Background & objectives Head and neck carcinomas (HNCs), including oral cancers (OCs), represent a significant global health issue, especially in India, where they contribute to one-third of the global OC burden. Despite advances in treatment, survival rates remain poor, often due to limited treatment options and underlying research gaps. The Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC) biorepository initiative undertook to address this gap by systematically collecting and storing biological specimens and their derivatives for HNC, fostering translational research and collaborations. The objective of this initiative was to provide critical resources for researchers and aims to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and clinical applications, ultimately contributing to more effective cancer treatment strategies and personalised medicine approaches in oncology. Methods From 2018 to July 2024, the biobank enrolled HNC patient donors (aged 18+yr) undergoing surgery as a primary mode of treatment at RGCIRC. Following Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, the biobank collected diverse biosamples, including fresh frozen tissues, plasma, PBMC, FFPE, and more. A robust Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) ensured systematic sample tracking and efficient disbursal. Complex derivatives were processed to minimise pre analytical variability, supporting high-quality research applications. Results The HNC biobank successfully enrolled 1, 300 donors during the study period and stored 13,000 biosample aliquots, with buccal mucosa identified as the most prevalent cancer site. A significant proportion of the patients presented with advanced-stage cancers (III and IV), accounting for 62.67 per cent of the biosamples collected, highlighting the critical need for targeted research in this area. Notably, the samples exhibited considerable cellular heterogeneity across different anatomical sites. Additionally, lower cellular viability was observed in samples from gingivobuccalsulcus (GBS) cancers compared to those from other sites. The biobank's 34 per cent sample disbursal rate underscores its role in facilitating diverse research projects, there by contributing valuable insights into HNC biology and treatment strategies. Interpretation & conclusions The RGCIRC biobank is pivotal for advancing HNC research, enabling genomic and cellular diversity studies, biomarker discovery, and personalised treatments. It has the potential to lay the foundation for multi-omics research and the future of translational efforts in HNC.

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