[Histonet] Help To: Handling Blocks/slides requested for Clinical Trials Histonet Digest, Vol 262, Issue 2

[Eddie Martin]

Hello Sue,

I work in the Bone Marrow Service Laboratory at the NIH. Each facility
should review its own laboratory policies to determine what materials may
or may not be sent out for clinical trials.

At our facility, all patients are either being evaluated for, or are
already enrolled in, a clinical trial. Following their care at the NIH,
patients may require tissue slides generated here to be forwarded to the
facility responsible for their continued care.

Regarding charges for preparing slides: I am not aware of any billing to
patients or to the clinical research study group overseeing their trial.

Below is a summary of the materials we typically request clinical
coordinators to communicate to sending institutions. The final decision on
what is shipped rests with the sending institution:

   -

   The original tissue block
   -

   For Bone Marrow Core & Aspirate Clot: Ten charged slides, each with one
   unstained section of FFPE tissue.
   -

   For bone marrow pathology: any remaining unstained aspirate, touch
   imprint, and peripheral blood smear referenced in the diagnostic report.
   -

   Our services works only with bone marrow tissue.  However, in my past
   work experiences, other anatomic tissues also benefit in niche
   circumstances if a few unstained slides shipped have 2-3 sequential
   sections to rule out questionable morphology.

*Notes:*

   1.

   Depending on the institution receiving the materials, tissue blocks or
   stained slides may be retained for a defined period after a case has been
   electronically signed out. In such cases, particularly if the patient's
   materials are needed sooner for their continuation of care, timely
   communication with the clinical trial coordinator is needed to expedite the
   shipping back of original materials received.
   2.

   Clinical trial testing requirements for materials needed will vary
   depending on the specific protocol the patient is being admitted to.
   3.

   In rare situations, additional material may be requested, where either
   the slides shipped aren't charged, or the brand of charged slides isn't
   compatible with the IHC instrumentation where the clinical study is being
   performed.

I am happy to respond to further questions if needed. My contact
information is included in my email signature.

Best regards,


Eddie Martin
Technical Pathology Specialist
The National Institutes of Health
10 Center Drive
Building 10, RM 2C301
Bethesda, MD 20816
(301) 594-2054
eddie.martin at nih.gov


> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Sue Faso <suefaso at gmail.com>
> To: histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:00:20 -0400
> Subject: [Histonet] Clinical trials support
> Hello Histonetters,
>
> How are your organizations handling blocks/slides requested for clinical
> trials?
> Do you send blocks (usually preferred by sponsors), or sections?
>
> Can anyone share how much they charge for sectioning slides for clinical
> trials?
>
> Thanks,
> Sue
>
> Susan Faso
> Laboratory Coordinator
> Pathology Core Research Lab
> SUNY Upstate
> Syracuse, NY
> Fasos <@t> upstate.edu
> Office/Lab 315-464-4812
>
>
>
>
>