Core 3: MPIP.

CORE 3_MULTIPARAMETER IMAGING AND PATHOLOGY: SUMMARY/ABSTRACT One basic function of Core 3 includes the collection and distribution of specimens and patient samples to P01 investigators. Importantly, we have been acquiring blood and tissue samples from most diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients treated with standard of care therapy at MDACC since 2007 and at WCMC since

1993. The two hematopathologists co-directing this core (Drs. Patel and Vega) will ensure proper tissue collection, provide pathologic characterization of all lymphoma tumors, and will work closely with the project investigators to address the needs of the projects. In addition, Core 3 has developed methods in both institutions

to ensure the optimal utilization of limited tissue resources by creating tissue derivatives (e.g. tissue microarrays, RNA, DNA) that can serve multiple P01 projects. These tissue derivatives are suitable for the identification and validation of molecular markers that may contribute to lymphoma progression and disease resistance. These

tissue resources will also facilitate establishing relevant clinical correlation necessary for prognostication and identification of new biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets. The use of common specimens among multiple projects requires the services of an information system to contain and organize results of tests performed on a given sample so that duplication of assays is avoided, and

multidisciplinary interactions are facilitated. Therefore, Core 3 is also responsible for generating a data repository for all biospecimens collected, in collaboration with Core 1 (Lymphoma Model Systems) and Core 2 (Biostatistics and Computational Biology), the information in which provides a detailed characterization of clinically annotated

tissue samples. The bank is fully annotated and linked to a lymphoma outcomes database in both institutions that captures information on basic demographics, diagnosis, clinical prognostic factors, treatment history, and treatment outcome for each patient. This allows selecting samples with any combination of molecular,

cytogenetic, immunophenotypic, clinical, and response data for laboratory studies. In addition to providing the infrastructure for a uniform pathology review and classification of clinical specimens used in the P01 projects - using conventional histomorphologic, immunohistochemical and molecular techniques

and generating a pathology image library available to all P01 investigators at both institutions - Core 3 will also develop and provide a variety of imaging services critical to successful molecular analysis of mouse and human LBCL. To this end, the Core 3 will perform routine and highly multiplexed immunohistochemical (IHC) and

immunofluorescence (IF) staining, and spatial transcriptomic profiling, with state-of-the-art technology. Core 3 incorporates several innovative features including a secure database shared by both institutions comprising comprehensive diagnostic pathologic information linked with individual patient clinical and molecular

data, and the establishment of novel technologies for cellular imaging. These features are among others that will enable Core 3 to facilitate the P01 projects achieving their intended goals.