[A pilot experience with a tumor bank]

Despite having the technical facilities and the knowledge, Chile did not have a tumor bank until recently.To describe the results of the first three years of a tumor bank.All cases stored in a tumor bank from June 2004 to June 2007 were included. Samples were frozen in isopentane, afterwards in liquid nitrogen and finally transferred to freezers at -80 degrees C. Quality controls with DNA and RNA extraction and immunohistochemistry, were per formed.In the study period, 1239 cases were collected and 79% were malignant tumors. In 78% of cases, samples from the tumor and of normal neighboring tissue, were stored. Twenty six percent of samples were from breast cancer and 22% for digestive tumors. Immunohistochemical expression of vimentin was measured in 30 cases and the expression of Ki67 and p53 in 20 cases. Thirteen of 15 breast cancer samples had expression of estrogen receptors. In 30 cases, DNA and RNA extraction was carried out, amplifying B-globin and B-actin. Moreover RNA was extracted from 63 gastric cancer, 30 colon cancer and gallbladder cancer samples, for specific projects.The creation of a tumor bank is feasible, preserving samples of high biological quality.