title: Identification of evidence-based biospecimen quality-control tools: a report of the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) Biospecimen Science Working Group.
abstract: Control of biospecimen quality that is linked to processing is one of the goals of biospecimen science. Consensus is lacking, however, regarding optimal sample quality-control (QC) tools (ie, markers and assays). The aim of this review was to identify QC tools, both for fluid and solid-tissue samples, based on a comprehensive and critical literature review. The most readily applicable tools are those with a known threshold for the preanalytical variation and a known reference range for the QC analyte. Only a few meaningful markers were identified that meet these criteria, such as CD40L for assessing serum exposure at high temperatures and VEGF for assessing serum freeze-thawing. To fully assess biospecimen quality, multiple QC markers are needed. Here we present the most promising biospecimen QC tools that were identified.
authors.affiliation: Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg, Luxembourg. fay.betsou@ibbl.lu
authors.forename: Fotini
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Betsou
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gunter
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clements
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: DeSouza
authors.forename: Katrina A B
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Goddard
authors.forename: Fiorella
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guadagni
authors.forename: Wusheng
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skubitz
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Somiari
authors.forename: Trina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yeadon
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chuaqui
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000592:standards*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011786:Quality Control; D012016:Reference Values; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers