Methodology for processing mastectomy and cryopreservation of breast cancer tissue in a resource- poor setting: A pilot study

• Published in: Cryobiology 2020-12, Vol.97, p.179-184
• Main Authors: Okoli, Uzoamaka A., Okafor, michael T., Agu, Kenneth A., Ndubuisi, Augustine C., Nwigwe, Ifeoma J., Nna, Emmanuel O., Okafor, Okechukwu C., Ukekwe, Francis I., Nwagha, Teresa U., Menkiti, Victor C., Eze, Charles O., Onyekwelu, Kenechukwu C., Ikekpeazu, Joy E., Anusiem, Chikere A., Mbah, Anthony U., Chijioke, Chioli P., Udeniya, Iroka J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Breast Neoplasms - surgery; Cryopreservation - methods; Cryoprotective Agents; Female; Freezing; Humans; Mastectomy; Pilot Projects
• ISSN: 0011-2240; 1090-2392
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2020.05.006

There is scarcity of breast cancer tissues derived from women of African origin available for patient - derived xenograft and organoid models. We aim to create a versatile protocol for processing mastectomy and cryopreservation of breast cancer tissue. An immediate collection of breast cancer tissue from mastectomy was bathed in 4 °C HBSS and immediately transferred to 4 °C RPMI1640 containing HEPES, 10% FBS, Streptomycin and Penicillin. Tissues were processed over ice yielding nine samples of cold ischemic time (20–45 min) stored at 3 min interval. Cut samples were transferred into cryovials containing 4 °C cryoprotectant agent (90% FBS +10% Me2SO) before snap -freezing in liquid Nitrogen vapour and final short-term storage in −80 °C Freezer. The histomorphology, tissue and molecular viability were assessed. The cold ischemic times had no detrimental effect to the nine samples despite being processed in a resource poor setting, hence providing a reproducible and reliable protocol.