Tissue bank major step forward in cancer research

NEWS RELEASE 23 JUNE 2009

Tissue bank major step forward in cancer research

The Centre for Clinical Research and Effective Practice (CCRep), in association with the Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB) has announced the establishment of a tissue bank at Middlemore Hospital for the collection of human tumour-related research biospecimens for research.

The medical research community in Auckland has greeted the tissue bank plan with excitement and enthusiasm. Once completed, the tissue bank will have biospecimens for the translational research required for understanding disease processes and in new drug development. The results from translational studies can tell researchers if a new treatment or laboratory test should be tried on people. Results from this type of research have been spectacularly successful in recent times leading to the development of medicines such as Herceptin (for breast cancer), Glivec (for chronic myeloid leukaemia) and Rituximab (for lymphoma) which radically improve patient outcomes.

In particular, tissue material will become available which is specifically related to the ethnic diversities in the New Zealand population. The preservation of cancerous tissues at Middlemore will allow future researchers to investigate the differences current cancer drugs and therapies have in Maori and Pacific Islanders, where little is published now, and possibly develop new ones.

The proposed venture has also aroused interest and indications of support from Australia and USA. The only other general tissue bank presently in New Zealand is in Christchurch.

The initiative for a tissue bank in Auckland comes from future governing body, CCRep, a charitable trust associated with CMDHB and manager of current research at the hospital.
Dr Stuart Ryan, General Manager, believes the Middlemore Tissue Bank will be a major step forward in advancing medical research in New Zealand.

“Our vision is to establish a comprehensive regional, if not NZ-wide, collection of biospecimens. We will build and grow the Middlemore Tissue Bank over the next three years and seek collaborations with New Zealand’s academic, research and public health institutions.” Dr Ryan praised founding sponsor Freemasons Roskill Foundation for their bold investment enabling the vision to proceed, and their understanding of the rewards of medical research.

Freemasons Roskill Foundation Chairman Mr David Mace said, “The basis of our community support is in medical research evidenced by our associations with the University of Auckland medical school with their neurological work and with our Chair of Gerontology. We believe the tissue bank has huge potential to give both our scientists and patients great faith in the future. We are delighted to be in the forefront of this project.”

It is expected the tissue bank will begin functioning by December 2009 with sample collection process beginning 12 months after that. The tissue bank will move into its own premises on a Middlemore site next year.

Dr Samar Issa has been appointed founding clinical director. She is a consultant haematologist at Middlemore Hospital and is clinical head of the Lymphoma Service and Chair of the recently established Lymphoma Network of New Zealand. Daphne Mason has been recruited to the role of Tissue Bank Curator. She has over 25 years experience in the field of pathology and laboratory management.

“The Centre has a key role in bringing new healthcare options to the New Zealand public, working closely with researchers and investigators producing evidence to support the adoption of new therapies. We look forward to supporting research projects which will deliver real benefits to New Zealand's unique patient population with its diverse ethnicities,” says Dr Ryan.

ENDS

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