A common protocol for specimen collection has been adopted based on the protocols developed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and published in Common Minimum Technical Standards and Protocols for Biological Resource Centres Dedicated to Cancer Research, IARC Working Group Report No. 2, 2007 (Read).
Blood samples:
Blood samples are obtained by venepuncture using vacutainers. Subjects are seated in a semi-upright position (different positions should be recorded). Two 10 mL tubes of blood are collected, including one tube for plasma and buffy coat and another tube for serum. Serum, plasma, buffy coat, and red blood cells are then aliquoted into 0.5 mL screw-cap, barcoded cryovials and stored at -80 °C.
Urine Samples:
Spot urine samples are collected in clean and dry plastic containers for urine collection (50 mL capacity, with a barcode label). Urine samples are refrigerated until they are aliquoted into 1 mL tubes and then stored at -80 °C.