The availability of high quality biological specimens is of utmost importance for cancer clinical trials and research. Standardizing methods for collection, long-term storage, retrieval and distribution of specimens across collection sites is essential to ensure the quality of the samples and enable consistent analysis of DNA, RNA and proteins. Whereas regulations exist to provide direction in many aspects of clinical research conduct, to date there are no formal regulations that direct the collection, and management of biospecimens. In the absence of such regulations, common Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are an ideal tool to establish standardization for repositories and clinical research sites. While many samples are collected across a multitude of sites, lack of standardized methods and lack of consistent SOPs jeopardize quality of the samples and the ability to use the samples for future research.

The Canadian Tissue Repository Network (CTRNet) provides a suite of national biospecimen SOPs intended to strengthen local biobanking efforts and promote standardized practices: https://www.ctrnet.ca/standard-operating-procedures/