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What is the SEER-Linked VTR Program?
The SEER-Linked VTR Program uses the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) public health cancer surveillance registries as honest brokers to supply researchers and other investigators with access to de-identified, linked data and archival, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue obtained through clinical care.
How is a virtual tissue repository (VTR) different from a physical biorepository?
Unlike a physical biorepository, which collects and stores tissue for future use in cancer research, a VTR uses honest brokers to fulfill requests for de-identified, linked tissue, whole slide images, pathology reports, and/or clinical data for secondary use in research and other projects.
What types of data and biospecimens can I request from the SEER-Linked VTR Program?
The SEER-Linked VTR Program accepts requests for formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue obtained through clinical care for secondary use in research and other projects. While tissue blocks are not released to investigators, tissue, processed as de-identified unstained or stained slides, ribbons, or scrolls, is released to investigators. Other types of data resources that can be requested include de-identified pathology reports, clinical and demographic data, and/or whole slide images (WSIs).
How do I submit a request?
Refer to the information on the Request Inquiry and Submissions page.
Are all data and biospecimens de-identified before sending to the investigator?
Yes, all SEER-Linked VTR Program data, biospecimens, pathology reports, and WSIs provided to investigators will be de-identified, but linked.
What is the timeline for receiving biospecimens?
The timeline for receiving biospecimens depends on a number of factors related to the nature of the request, including whether the requested tissue needs to be representative of the U.S. population; the number of cases with tissue being requested; and/or the request is for rare cancer(s), cancer cases with rare outcomes, and/or of underrepresented populations. If specimens are being requested on >200 cancer cases, then the project will need to be conducted over multiple years.
How much does the SEER-Linked VTR Program cost?
Investigators will be provided a cost estimate based on what services the request entails, target sample size, number of laboratories being contacted, etc. Please see the Cost Structure, Fees, and Payments page for further information.
How is the SEER-Linked VTR Program different from the Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN)?
Like the SEER-Linked VTR Program, CHTN is a network of honest brokers, supported by NCI, that processes de-identified, but linked, tissue and data for researchers and other investigators. Unlike CHTN, the honest brokers at the SEER-Linked VTR Program are SEER cancer registries that use the public health infrastructure to request formalin-fixed (FFPE) tissue obtained through clinical care (e.g., biopsies and surgeries). The SEER-Linked VTR Program does not collect tissue in real time and does not offer access to fresh-frozen tissue. Because the SEER-Linked VTR Program uses the cancer registries for access to data and tissue, it allows investigators to obtain de-identified tissue and data from cases that are representative of the underlying population. As such, the program allows investigators to conduct studies of cancer cases from small populations and other unique groups of cancer cases.
