Welcome to Chernobyl Tissue Bank

CTB Papers

For more information on the papers published using tissue from the CTB click here >

Introduction to the project
The large number of thyroid tumours that have occurred in areas exposed to high levels of fallout from the Chernobyl accident raises important problems in the areas of public health, regulation of exposure to radionuclides and in the understanding of the molecular changes involved in their genesis. The over-riding priority must go to matters such as diagnosis, treatment of those affected, and prevention. International Agencies have given and are giving financial and material help in these areas. However, providing the needs of the patient are not compromised, it is very important to ensure that information that may be of value to the health of future generations is not lost. Although the post Chernobyl thyroid tumours are associated with a particular aetiology, they may also provide clues to the pathogenesis and molecular biology of thyroid carcinoma in general.

Aims of the project
The main objective of this project is to provide a research resource for both ongoing and future studies of the health consequences of the Chernobyl accident. It seeks to maximize the amount of information obtained from small pieces of tumour by providing multiple aliquots of RNA and DNA extracted from well documented pathological specimens to a number of researchers world-wide and to conserve this valuable material for future generations of scientists. It exists to promote collaborative, rather than competitive, research on a limited biological resource. The project

ensures that the best possible diagnostic service is provided to patients and that

appropriate ethical consent is obtained for each biological sample

ensures that specimens of thyroid cancer operated on or after 1st October 1998 (the start date of the project) are properly described and sampled, and that materials (frozen tissue, fixed tissue sections, extracted DNA/RNA and blood samples), are available for appropriate research studies

provides a diagnosis agreed by internationally recognized pathologists. The diagnosis is made available to research groups carrying out molecular biological, therapeutic, epidemiological and other studies.

provides an archive of data generated from research studies carried out using the material that can be used for future studies on the interaction of specific oncogenic changes in the generation of radiation related thyroid cancer. This may have direct relevance to both prognosis and assessment of risk from exposure to radiation

The project is already achieving the first three objectives above, but continued collection of material is necessary for a number of reasons. There is evidence that suggests that tumours following a short latency are likely to show a different molecular biological and pathological profile than those of a longer latency; this project will help to clarify this difference as the latent period since the accident increases. Thyroid cancer is increasing world-wide and although most tumours do not have a defined radiation aetiology, it is likely that the insights gained from studying the post Chernobyl tumour will provide information that could be of use for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer and of other cancers in general.

What happens to the results of the research studies?
Where is the CTB located?
Study cohort