Resources
Our laboratory has been instrumental in developing a Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology shared equipment program with the full support of our chair, Dr. James Yao. He has graciously championed and supported the consolidation of our GIMO Laboratory Research program into contiguous laboratory space through a prestigious UT STAR Award.
| Equipment | Notes | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Nikon Confocal Microscope | New equipment for the department, will replace our utilization of Genetics department equipment and expand imaging capability |
$250,000 |
| Leica Cryomicrotome CM1950 |
New equipment for the department; replaces utilization of south campus lab; for frozen section cutting | $25,500 |
| Leica Microtome RM2235 | Replaces existing equipment, for manual routine paraffin sectioning | $11,000 |
| Multiple Forma -80 freezers | New freezer capacity for Li/Shureiqi | $10,000 |
| CFX96 Touch Realtime PCR |
New equipment for department; more versatile and sensitive than current PCR machines |
$20,000 |
| ChemiDoc | Replaces old film developer | $38,000 |
| Bioplex 200 | New equipment for department, for multiplex cytokine and protein assessment | $52,000 |
| Water purification system |
Requirement for new lab space |
$10,000 |
| Plate reader | Increased capabilities compared to existing lab models | $25,000-40,000 |
| Incucyte and Biocyte Live Cell Analysis Systems |
Capacity for medium/high throughput analyses for | $100,000-130,000 |
| Super/Ultracentrifuge |
Viral/Plasma preps |
$45,000-90,000 |
| Floor incubator |
Viral/Plasma preps |
$10,000 |
| Benchtop flow cytometer |
Cell separation/counting; 4-8 color range |
$50,000-100,000 |
| Bar coding system/reader |
For freezer inventory management |
$10,000 |
| Freezer management systems |
Best systems may utilize a subscription model which is not allowed on STAR | $10,000 / year |
| Multisample sonicator |
For sample preparation |
$5,000 |
Web and Data Resources
INTERCEPT
The INTERCEPT program is using cutting-edge diagnostic strategies with the overall goal to cure more patients with colorectal cancer by deploying the right therapy, to the right patients, at the right time. This approach utilizes sensitive and high-specificity assays to detect mutated ctDNA in the patient's plasma to identify tumors early enough to improve the therapeutic index offered by novel therapies. ctDNA testing is currently utilizing an outsourced commercial test (Signatera test, from Natera). The assay is a highly sensitive and personalized molecular residual disease assay, custom designed based on tumor tissue whole exome sequencing for each patient to help identify relapse earlier than SOC testing.
In practice, ctDNA to assess MRD status is performed 2 or more weeks after a curative surgery and after completion of systemic therapy. For longitudinal monitoring, we assess ctDNA levels every 3 months, in conjunction with radiologic imaging and CEA monitoring.
1259 unique patients were included in the INTERCEPT program from December 16th, 2021 through December 31st, 2022, yielding 2,959 orders for testing. The median age was 55 years [range was 21-93] and 55% male, 45% female. The cohort's stage distribution was I (11%), II (17%), III (28%), and IV (36%). Site of tumor was primary tumor in the colon (43%), rectum (31%), or metastatic site (19%) with 1049 patients tested after curative intent surgery.
For more information about some of our data resources, please contact Kristin Alfaro-Munoz, Program Director, Medicine Department, GI Medical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center at kdalfaro@mdanderson.org or 713-792-1281.