Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium biospecimen collection

Proteins are the targets of most anticancer drugs and therapies; therefore, it is critical to understand the proteome along with the genome. The Biospecimen Research Group provides the prospectively collected biospecimens needed to carry out this research within the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC).  

We use a portfolio of tissue source sites from domestic and international organizations, including hospitals and contract resource organizations, to collect and process tumor and normal tissue specimens from consented patients, including corresponding clinical data based on a highly customized protocol.  

We subcontract with more than 35 tissue source sites to collect quality samples required for proteogenomic research. We manage the Biospecimen Core Resource subcontract, which processes and qualifies these samples in a consistent manner. The team manages the entire workflow—from specimen collection to the delivery of samples—and its associated clinical data.  

The informatics component oversees the associated clinical data for the collected samples. We built an in-house online web portal, the Comprehensive Data Resource, that the tissue source sites use to enter clinical data directly into the case report forms that the team developed.  

The data collected uses National Cancer Institute standards to enable optimal data-sharing. Our data management team reviews the data for correctness and completeness before it is delivered to researchers and submitted to public portals. The Comprehensive Data Resource portal undergoes continuous enhancements and is highly customized to do sophisticated data analytics and live reporting. The portal strives for continuous improvement and adherence to required Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) regulations and works according to strict standard operating procedures as well as project management best practices. 

For any further information related to the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC), please feel free to contact Mathangi Thiagarajan at cptac@mail.nih.gov.