Specimen Requirements
Collect all specimens under sterile conditions and maintain at room temperature unless otherwise indicated. Label specimens with at least two patient identifiers (patient’s full name and date of birth) AND the collection date/time. When labeling, please use indelible ink or gummed labels.
DCI provides complimentary test kits and shipping materials. Please see the Supplies page for more details.
For request and insurance preauthorization forms, please see the Forms and Downloads page. For packing and shipping information, please see the Shipping Information page.
Neoplastic
Bone Marrow: Aspirate 1-2 ml bone marrow into a sterile syringe containing 0.1 ml preservative free sodium heparin, invert syringe to mix, and transfer to a 3 ml preservative free sodium-heparin (green-top) vacutainer tube.
Leukemic Peripheral Blood: Patient should have WBC of 15,000 or higher with approximately 10% circulating immature myeloid or lymphoid blast cells. Collect 5 ml of peripheral blood in a preservative free sodium-heparin (green top) vacutainer tube.
Lymph Node/Spleen/Tonsil Biopsy: >5 mm3 tumor biopsy collected under aseptic conditions and transported in sterile tissue culture media.
Collection Instructions:
1. Specimen collection
a. Bone Marrow
i. 1-2 ml of initial bone marrow aspirate drawn into a preservative-free sodium heparinized syringe (approx. 500 USP sodium heparin per ml specimen).
ii. Transfer bone marrow aspirate to a 5 ml preservative-free sodium heparin (green top) vacutainer. Invert to mix.
b. Leukemic Peripheral Blood
i. Collect 5 ml of blood in a preservative-free sodium heparin (green top) vacutainer. Invert to mix.
c. Lymph Node
i. Lymph node should be placed immediately in transport media. RPMI media is recommended, or DCI can provide transport media upon request. Cap tightly and seal with paraffin film.
2. Label container with patient name, date of birth, date of collection, and type of specimen.
3. Maintain at room temperature.
4. Complete a neoplastic request form.
5. Call us at (800) 328-2026.
Paraffin-Embedded Tissue
Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Slides: For each probe requested, a minimum of three slides of four-micron tissue sections from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks on positively-charged slides. The area of interest should be marked. Pathology report and H&E slide of the tissue should be submitted. All slides must be labeled with 2 unique identifiers that are identical to the accompanying request form.
If possible, please provide slides of normal tissue of the same type to be used as a control.
If paraffin blocks are submitted, there will be additional fees for processing.
Solid Tumor
Solid Tumor Tissue: At least 1 cm3 representative tumor tissue collected under aseptic conditions and transported in sterile tissue culture media.
Collection Instructions:
1. Obtain at least 1 cm3 of material from a viable area with as little non-tumor or necrotic tissue as possible. Specimen should be placed in sterile RPMI or transport media (DCI can provide upon request).
a. If RPMI is not available, viral transport media or Ringer’s solution may be used. DO NOT use formalin, alcohol, or preserved saline.
2. Label container with patient name, date of birth, date of collection, and type of specimen. Cap tightly and seal with paraffin film.
3. Maintain at room temperature.
4. Complete a neoplastic request form.
5. Call us at (800) 328-2026.
Cell Line
Specimen Requirements
Please submit two T25 flasks for testing.
1. Perform a 1:4 split of one confluent T25 flask.
2. If the cells are adherent and healthy the next day, then they are ready to be sent to us!
3. Label two flasks with the cell line, passage date, and your study identifier.
4. If the cells will be shipped via FedEx or UPS, fill up 2 flasks completely with medium. (No extra media necessary if delivered by local courier.)
5. Please also include an aliquot of media along with the flasks in case it is necessary to feed the culture prior to harvesting for metaphase chromosomes.
6. Fill out the Cell Line Request Form.
7. Call us at (800) 328-2026.
