Human Tissue Samples

FFPE vs. Frozen Tissue Comparison

Use case guidance:

• Choose FFPE for IHC, ISH, standard pathology review, targeted DNA sequencing, and archival access studies.
• Choose Frozen tissue for RNA sequencing, whole exome/genome sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics, and functional assays where molecular integrity is critical.

MT Group offers both FFPE and frozen tissue with matched clinical annotation. Matched fresh/frozen + FFPE sets from the same patient are available for select studies.

Procuring human tissue samples for research involves working with a biospecimen CRO or biobank that manages clinical collection on your behalf. Here's how the process typically works with MT Group:

1. Define study requirements: Clarify sample type (fresh, frozen, or FFPE tissue), population (disease state, inclusions/exclusions), required clinical annotation, and other elements.
2. Assess feasibility: Ascertain enrollment projections and costs for the defined study, connecting with MT Group's 200+ clinical site network as necessary.
3. Approve proposal: Develop a comprehensive quote with all study design elements, which is approved with a purchase order.
4. Initiate study: Create a study-specific collection SOP and clinical database, build study kits, and onboard selected sites.
5. Enroll subjects: Sites identify, consent, and enroll subjects per the SOP.
6. Deliver samples & data: Specimens are shipped per the proposal (overnight for fresh specimens, batched for frozen/fixed) with comprehensive clinical data delivered soon thereafter.

Contact MT Group to start a feasibility discussion: mtgroupbio.com/contact-us/

All FFPE tissue blocks undergo pathologist review at the collection site prior to shipment followed by independent confirmation by MT Group's board-certified pathologists who verify diagnosis and assess tissue quality. If a sponsor ultimately receives a specimen that fails to meet its quality specifications, it will be replaced with no additional cost.

FFPE block age can impact certain molecular analyses. While FFPE blocks remain stable for morphological studies like immunohistochemistry for many years, nucleic acid quality may degrade over time. For sensitive applications such as next-generation sequencing or gene expression profiling, blocks less than 5 years old are generally preferred although in some cases older blocks are acceptable. MT Group can source blocks within your specified age requirements and provide guidance on age appropriateness for your specific research application.

Yes, matched biofluid samples including plasma and buffy coat can be available from the FFPE tissue donor. This enables comprehensive multi-omics studies and correlative analyses between tissue-based findings and circulating biomarkers. Availability of matched samples for banked specimens depends on what was collected at the time of the original procedure while prospective collections can be designed to include any combination of tissue and biofluids.

Waiver of consent biospecimens are residual clinical samples collected under an IRB-approved protocol that waives the requirement for individual patient informed consent for the sample’s use in research. These specimens are typically leftover tissue from surgical or diagnostic procedures that would otherwise be discarded. The same research uses are permitted under IRB waiver of consent as are with fully consented cases.

Human biospecimens from MT Group can be used for a wide range of research applications including drug discovery and development, biomarker validation, diagnostic test development, basic research into disease mechanisms, and translational studies. Activities not permitted include human cloning, commercial re-sale, and any use in human beings.

Banked biospecimens are ideal when you need specimens quickly, require cases with known outcomes, or need rare disease samples that may be difficult to collect prospectively. Prospective collections are preferred when you require specific clinical parameters, need fresh tissue for functional assays, want to control collection and processing protocols precisely, need matched longitudinal samples, or require clinical data points not typically captured in standard medical records. MT Group can help assess which approach best fits your research timeline, budget, and scientific requirements.

Banked tissues typically include clinical data available from medical records at the time of collection, such as diagnosis, disease stage, prior treatments, basic demographics, and pathology reports. The depth of annotation depends on what was documented during the original clinical encounter. Prospectively collected tissues offer the opportunity to capture customized data elements tailored to your research protocol, including patient-reported outcomes, specific laboratory values, detailed treatment histories, biomarker status, imaging results, and longitudinal follow-up data.

Typical timelines for initiating a prospective collection depends on protocol complexity, regulatory requirements, and site activation needs. Simple collections at established sites typically begin within 3-4 weeks, while more complex multi-site studies may require a few more weeks. MT Group conducts thorough feasibility assessments upfront to provide realistic timelines and identify potential bottlenecks. Once activated, our project management team provides weekly updates and maintains close communication with sites to ensure efficient enrollment and specimen delivery.