The Prostate Biobank - a resource for urological research in Norway

Link to website in English or Norwegian.

The Department of Urology at Oslo University Hospital is the largest urological unit in Norway. Every year, about 600 men is referred to the department because of abnormal blood tests or symptoms indicating a prostatic disease and almost 400 men is yearly operated by robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). In addition to serum, plasma and DNA, the Prostate Biobank contains paraffin embedded and fresh frozen prostate specimens. A Prostate Cancer Research Register containing clinical information from above 5000 patients makes the biobank useful for translational research.

The Prostate Biobank is a collaborative effort between Department of Urology, Department of Pathology, Department of Oncology and Institute of Cancer Research.

Participation in the Prostate Biobank and Registry is based on a broad informed consent. Access to biological samples and clinical information is overseen by a scientific steering board comprising representatives from these departments. Prof. Kristin Austlid Taskén from Institute of Cancer Research leads this steering board. The primary research objectives for projects utilizing samples and data is to enhance prostate cancer care through the development of novel methods for diagnosis and treatment.