title: The "North German Tumor Bank of Colorectal Cancer": status report after the first 2 years of support by the German Cancer Aid Foundation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Research projects and clinical trials strongly rely on high-quality biospecimens which are provided by biobanks. Since differences in sample processing and storage can strongly affect the outcome of such studies, standardization between biobanks is necessary to guarantee reliable results of large, multicenter studies. The German Cancer Aid Foundation (Deutsche Krebshilfe e.V.) has therefore initiated the priority program "tumor tissue banks" in 2010 by funding four biobank networks focusing on central nervous system tumors, melanomas, breast carcinomas, and colorectal carcinomas. The latter one, the North German Tumor Bank of Colorectal Cancer (ColoNet) is managed by surgeons, pathologists, gastroenterologists, oncologists, scientists, and medical computer scientists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ColoNet consortium has developed and harmonized standard operating procedures concerning all biobanking aspects. Crucial steps for quality assurance have been implemented and resulted in certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001. A further achievement is the construction of a web-based database for exploring available samples. In addition, common scientific projects have been initiated. Thus, ColoNet's repository will be used for research projects in order to improve early diagnosis, therapy, follow-up, and prognosis of colorectal cancer patients. Apart from the routine sample storage at -170 °C, the tumor banks' unique characteristic is the participation of outpatient clinics and private practices to further expand the sample and clinical data collection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The first 2 years of funding by the German Cancer Aid Foundation have already led to a closer scientific connection between the participating institutions and to a substantial collection of biospecimens obtained under highly standardized conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oberländer
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Linnebacher
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: König
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bogoevska
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brodersen
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaatz
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krohn
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hackmann
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ingenerf
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Christoph
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mate
authors.forename: Hans-Ulrich
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Prokosch
authors.forename: Emre F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Yekebas
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thorns
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Büning
authors.forename: Friedrich
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authors.lastname: Prall
authors.forename: Ria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uhlig
authors.forename: Uwe J
authors.initials: UJ
authors.lastname: Roblick
authors.forename: Jakob R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Izbicki
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Klar
authors.forename: Hans-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Bruch
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vollmar
authors.forename: Jens K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Habermann
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D014015:Tissue Banks / Q000458:organization & administration*