Intravital biobank and personalized cancer therapy: The correlation with omics

Abstract

Biobanks have played a decisive role in all aspects of the field of cancer, including pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. The significance of cancer biobanks is epitomized through the appropriate application of various "-omic" techniques (omics). The mutually motivated relationship between biobanks and omics has intensified the development of cancer research. Human cancer tissues that are maintained in intravital biobanks (or living tissue banks) retain native tumor microenvironment, tissue architecture, hormone responsiveness and cell-to-cell signalling properties. Intravital biobanks replicate the structural complexity and heterogeneity of human cancers, making them an ideal platform for preclinical studies. The application of omics with intravital biobanks renders them more active, which makes it possible for the cancer-related evaluations to be dynamically monitored on a real-time basis. Integrating intravital biobank and modern omics will provide a useful tool for the discovery and development of new drugs or novel therapeutic strategies. More importantly, intravital biobanks may play an essential role in the creation of meaningful patient-tailored therapies as for personalized medicine. © 2013 UICC.