Comparative Shotgun Proteomics Reveals the Characteristic Protein Signature of Osteosarcoma Subtypes.

Osteosarcoma is a primary malignant bone tumor affecting adolescents and young adults. This study aimed to identify proteomic signatures that distinguish between different osteosarcoma subtypes, providing insights into their molecular heterogeneity and potential implications for personalized treatment approaches. Using advanced proteomic techniques, we analyzed FFPE tumor samples from a cohort of pediatric osteosarcoma patients representing four various subtypes. Differential expression analysis revealed a significant proteomic signature that discriminated between these subtypes, highlighting distinct molecular profiles associated with different tumor characteristics. In contrast, clinical determinants did not correlate with the proteome signature of pediatric osteosarcoma. The identified proteomics signature encompassed a diverse array of proteins involved in focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt signaling pathways, and proteoglycans in cancer, among the top enriched pathways. These findings underscore the importance of considering the molecular heterogeneity of osteosarcoma during diagnosis or even when developing personalized treatment strategies. By identifying subtype-specific proteomics signatures, clinicians may be able to tailor therapy regimens to individual patients, optimizing treatment efficacy and minimizing adverse effects.

Planning Today for Tomorrow's Research: Analysis of Factors Influencing Participation in a Pediatric Cancer Research Biorepository.

BACKGROUND: Biobanks have become a powerful tool that fosters biomedical research. The success of biobanks depends upon people's perception and willingness to donate their samples for research. This is the first biorepository in Egypt, hence, little is known about the beliefs and attitudes of parents toward participation. AIM: To investigate the level of willingness of Egyptians to donate samples of their children and themselves for research and the different factors influencing participation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A structured questionnaire was designed covering multiple items expected to affect the enrollment decision. This was conducted in-person, and data collected included demographic data, socioeconomic, and educational level. In addition, in the case of refusal, participants were asked about reasons behind their decision. RESULTS: Only about 3.1% of patients have not been enrolled in the project, and 0.3% have withdrawn. Three demographic factors were found having disparate trends in the decision-making process to participate or not: father's education (p = 0.0001), mother's education (p = 0.0001), and father's age (p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Egyptian parents were willing to donate their samples as well as their children's samples in our research biorepository. The idea of participation was presented in an interview during which the consent form was explained in a comprehensive transparent way allowing participants the right to refuse or withdraw at any time. Still, different communication approaches are needed with older, more highly educated parents to encourage them to participate.

Biorepository for Pediatric Cancer with Minimal Resources: Meeting the Challenges.

BACKGROUND: Conducting high throughput -omics research requires high quality, data-rich biospecimens to unravel factors underlying childhood cancers; this is an extra burden in a limited resources country. For this purpose, Children's Cancer Hospital (CCHE), the largest pediatric cancer hospital worldwide, established a cutting-edge Biorepository and Biospecimen Research Facility (CCHE-BBR). OBJECTIVE: To present a step-by-step guide to establishing a hospital-based biorepository with limited resources, and working in collaboration with different hospital facilities to supply the research community with high quality data-rich biospecimens fit for a wide range of research purposes. This approach will foster research in the era of personalized precision medicine. METHODS: CCHE-IRB approved the collection and storage of biospecimens from patients and parents for future research. We focused on staff training, recruiting qualified scientists, and establishing the infrastructure. The CCHE Biorepository developed strict standardized procedures for sample acquisition, processing, annotation, storage, and distribution based on ISBER Best Practices and CAP-accreditation guidelines. We collect samples at different clinical time points (e.g., at remission and/or relapse) as well as parents' samples for genetic studies. Using CaTissue®, an electronic storage management system, allowed sample annotation and full integration with clinical data and the cancer registry. RESULTS: In 2 years, we succeeded in establishing a well-designed biorepository within our regulations, bylaws, and SOPs, and with a minimal budget. We store high quality blood derivatives, CSF, and malignant/normal tissue samples. CONCLUSION: Building a high quality biorepository with minimal-resources to encourage research is possible. Having the suitable infrastructure with a significant number of clinically annotated samples can play a major role in international research projects, sharing samples and/or data with other groups.