RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Barriers to the release of human tissue for clinical trials research in the UK: a national survey of cellular pathology laboratories on behalf of the National Cancer Research Institute’s Cellular Molecular Pathology (CM-Path) initiative
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 52
OP 57
DO 10.1136/jclinpath-2018-205476
VO 72
IS 1
A1 Macklin, Philip S
A1 Hall, Andrew
A1 Lee, Jessica
A1 Hair, Jane
A1 Speirs, Valerie
A1 Thomas, Gareth J
A1 Oien, Karin A
A1 Verrill, Clare
YR 2019
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/72/1/52.abstract
AB Aim To survey UK cellular pathology departments regarding their attitudes and practices relating to release of human tissue from their diagnostic archives for use in clinical trial research.Methods A 30-item questionnaire was circulated to the National Cancer Research Institute’s Cellular Molecular Pathology initiative and Confederation of Cancer Biobanks mailing lists. Responses were collected over a 10-month period from November 2016 to August 2017.Results 38 departments responded to the survey, the majority of which regularly receive requests for tissue for research purposes. Most requests come from academia and financial support to facilitate tissue release comes from a variety of sources. A range of practices were reported in relation to selection of the most appropriate sample to release, consent checking, costing and governance frameworks.Conclusions This survey demonstrates wide variation in practice across the UK and identifies barriers to release of human tissue for clinical trial research. Until we can overcome these obstacles, patient samples will remain inaccessible to research. Therefore, this study highlights the urgent need for clear and coordinated national guidance on this issue.