Thoracic Cancer

The King’s Health Partners Thoracic Cancer Biobank was established in 2009 to collect tissue, blood samples, and clinical information from patients undergoing diagnosis and treatment for thoracic cancers at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. The biobank gathers samples from both malignant (cancerous) and normal tissues, as well as blood samples, to support research into lung and other thoracic cancers.

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Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, with approximately 47,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Each year, over 800 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients are referred to Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust for surgery, with patients coming from Southeast London, Kent, and Sussex. This population represents a diverse demographic, enriching the biobank with varied data.

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The biobank stores tissue samples collected through surgical resection and endobronchial ultrasound-guided biopsy (EBUS). These samples are preserved as formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) or frozen specimens. In addition, blood samples are collected alongside extensive pathological data, patient demographics, clinical information, and follow-up details. The collection encompasses various types of thoracic cancers, offering a valuable resource for advancing cancer research.

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Applications to access the biobank’s samples or data are accepted from investigators in both academic and commercial sectors.