Project Summary Core 2 Histology/Tissue The University of Pittsburgh Head and Neck Cancer SPORE will continue to maintain and expand a Histology/Tissue Banking Core to ensure efficient use of head and neck biospecimens and provide specialized histologic evaluation of these tissues for the SPORE research projects and developmental programs. The goal is to provide sufficient and well-characterized tissues of the highest quality in support of the research studies in this SPORE and those of collaborating institutions and entities. Tissue specimens as well as blood and body fluid samples are systematically collected from head and neck caner patients and in this renewal, from individuals with thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer. The Core is responsible for collection, triage, processing and distribution or storage of specimen and tissue histopathology, tissue microarray generation, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and interpretation. Research specimens, including snap-frozen OCT-embedded, archival or fresh tissue blocks, cells (tumor or tumor infiltrating lymphocytes) dissociated from tissues, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and paraffin-embedded or frozen tissue sections for IIHC analyses and tissue microarrays, are triaged for distribution to SPORE investigators, as specified by research protocols. Microdissection of tissues and extraction of RNA and/or DNA for molecular assays may also be performed. The Core banks any samples that are not used immediately by SPORE investigators for future use by DRP and/or CDP awardees and/or collaborators at other institutions. Histopathologic analysis by Core Pathologists confirms the quality and quantity of tumor in research specimens. IHC is used to detect cellular biomarkers, whose expression in target tissues may be correlated with response to therapy or clinical outcome. The Core tracks samples and facilitates the sharing of specimens by the research laboratories according to a priority schema that is reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee of the SPORE. Specimen processing, inventory, and distribution data and histopathologic analyses are maintained in the Core’s computerized database with links to the Informatics component of the Core 3 for storage and archiving to facilitate a web- based retrieval system. This database is designed for use by all SPORE investigators. New efforts in this renewal include: 1) generation of prospective tissue microarrays by organ site and clinical cohort; 2) development and characterization of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs); 3) next-generation sequencing of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancers; and 4) development of molecular CLIA assays for use in SPORE trials.

Project Narrative - Core 2 Histology/Tissue The Tissue and Histology Core is a required and essential component of the Head and Neck SPORE. The Core oversees the collection, processing and distribution of tissues obtained from HNSCC and thyroid nodule/thyroid cancer subjects for use by the projects and programs of the SPORE. This Core works closely with the Informatics component of Core C to link each specimen to individual subjects in our professionally curated organ-specific database.