THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR BRAIN TUMOR RESEARCH (FCBTR): BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE TO FIND A CURE

INTRODUCTION: High quality tumor samples and DNA, coupled with annotated clinical data are the building blocks of basic, translational, and clinical research but are often difficult to obtain in a high-quality and standardized format and are expensive to maintain. In 2006, the legislature of the State of Florida appropriated funding for the Florida Center for Brain Tumor Research (FCBTR) to establish a coordinated biorepository and annotated clinical database among the state's public and private universities, hospitals, and biomedical industries. METHODS: Infrastructure for the collection, storage, and distribution of tumor and normal tissues and DNA is maintained by the FCBTR. Central coordination and annotated clinical database management is facilitated at the University of Florida. Samples are collected and distributed under institutional IRB approval. Participating member institutions (n = 8) are represented on the FCBTR Scientific Advisory Council through gubernatorial or state legislature appointed representatives that provide governing oversight of FCBTR operations. In collaboration with ABC2, peer-reviewed FCBTR pilot grants have been awarded to investigators throughout the state of Florida to support brain tumor research initiatives. RESULTS: To date, 8506 samples from 1100 patients have been collected under IRB approval by the FCBTR. Eight research awards to neuro-oncology investigators have been funded through the pilot award program. Distribution of FCBTR-maintained tissues has supported over thirty publications, submissions to The Cancer Genome Atlas, and several awarded and pending NIH grants. A NIH R24 (Resource-Related Research Project) grant to establish, characterize, and distribute primary glioma stem cell-like lines (GSCs) has been awarded to UF, with the FCBTR functioning as the coordinating center for deposition and distribution of GSC resources. CONCLUSIONS: State support for multi-institutional biorepositories is a model that should be considered by state legislatures for advancement of brain tumor research and other disease-related research initiatives.