Research Tools

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Stained MCC cells

Tools to support MCC research

A scientist preparing tumor samples
A scientist shipping samples
A scientist examines a specimen
This is unpublished

Repository

Request for Tools

REQUEST for tools

Please complete this form with your full name, email, and a brief description of your project, including the type of de-identified data and/or specimens you are interested in. Our team will review your request and respond to you by email.  

Established in 2006, the MCC Repository has enabled the collection of patient clinical data and annotated research specimens which have contributed to over 90 publications to date and several practice changing guidelines.   

We are actively collecting tissue samples and health information from prospectively consented patients, enrolling approximately 70 new patients each year.  

MC3 members may request de-identified clinical data and/or specimens to answer their own research questions.  

The Repository of Data and Specimens for Merkel Cell Carcinoma Research is comprised of two essential components:  

  1. Clinical Database  
  2. Specimen Collection 

CLINICAL DATABASE 

We manage and analyze the ongoing collection of longitudinal clinical research data in this relational database. 

  • >1900 participants 
  • >200 data fields​ (patient & tumor characteristics, treatments, outcomes, clinical disease status, and more) 
  • Annual patient follow-up ​conducted by the Undergraduate Research Training Program 

SPECIMEN COLLECTION 

Kate prepares an MCC tumor digest.
Kate prepares an MCC tumor digest for research.

We have collected >60,000 biospecimens​ annotated with patient clinical data. This includes the acquisition of tumor samples from patients at baseline, and after initiation of immunotherapy, to study the underlying mechanisms of refractory disease.  

  • Blood (PBMC​, plasma​, serum)​ 
  • Tumor Tissue (Single cell digests​)
  • Expanded Cultures (Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes, T cell clones​)
  • Archival Tissue (FFPE​ blocks, slides, curls​, tissue micro-arrays)
  • Stool​ (Frozen​)

other research tools

Datasets 

The following datasets are in progress or planned. Please inquire! 

Sequencing 

  • Alpha beta TCRseq​  
  • Whole exome sequencing​ 
  • 10x CITEseq​ 
  • Bulk RNAseq​ 

Spatial Proteomics 

  • Multi-color IHC​ 
  • 6-50 markers​ 

Spatial Transcriptomics 

  • Xenium 

Cell Lines 

We have a collection of authenticated MCC human cell lines (virus-positive and virus negative). Please contact us for a current list.