Tissue Samples

Researchers Need Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) Tissue Samples For Collaborative Microarray Study

Sharon Anderson, MSW

LMS Research Advocate & Survivor

Stanford University Medical Center has begun an extensive DNA and tissue microarray study on leiomyosarcoma (LMS), under the direction of Dr. Matt van de Rijn. The samples will also be studied in the laboratories of leading sarcoma researchers, Dr. Jonathan Fletcher at Harvard University, Dr. Brian Rubin at the University of Washington in Seattle and Drs. Chris Corless and Mike Heinrich at Oregon Health Sciences University on Portland.

Over 200 LMS patients are needed to donate one paraffin block cassette of their primary and all metastatic tumors available from storage. Paraffin block cassettes may be donated by loved ones in memory of those who have lost their battle with LMS. Fresh frozen tissue from patients' future surgeries are also crucial to collect for this research.

The article “Gene Profiling: Unlocking the Inner Workings of Sarcoma Cells” by Drs. Mackall and Khan in this issue of ESUN provides an excellent introduction to microarray analysis. In brief, using microarray technology thousands of genes can be analyzed from samples in less time than it previously took researchers to study a single gene. This technology is providing hope in the study of rare cancers like LMS. Links are provided to a number of online microarray tutorials and resources in the above article.

Using microarray techniques, a detailed genetic profile is obtain for a specific cancer. Researchers then use this profile to identify appropriate treatments for the disease. Drug manufacturers also utilize the genetic profile to identify new treatment options, as well as new uses for existing drugs. Evaluating the effectiveness of these treatments still requires clinical trials. However, the microarray research results significantly speeds up the first step of identifying the targets for potential new treatments.

A volunteer group of leiomyosarcoma survivors and caretakers have created a working group to serve as liaisons to the researchers to facilitate the collection of tissue samples. Our group is called LMS Research Advocates (LMSRA). We hope to announce the completion our new website very soon which is devoted to facilitate the LMS community participation this exciting opportunity. Until then, if you would like to donate LMS tissue samples from a primary and/or metastasis tumor for the van de Rijn study, please contact Sharon Anderson. Watch for more news and articles on this exciting LMS microarray research project in the next issue of ESUN.

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