Current Research Studies - Uterine leiomyomata cytogenetics, tissue bank and database
Study Description
This is an ongoing collection of fibroid specimens from women who undergo a hysterectomy or myomectomy at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
The long term objective of our research is to identify, isolate, and characterize genes involved in the biology of uterine leiomyomata in an overall effort to understand genetic contributions to the etiology, growth, and natural history of these tumors.
To this end, we have established a cytogenetic database and tissue bank, and we continue to collect, karyotype, and establish cell cultures from leiomyomata and matched myometrium. In addition to karyotypes and other cytogenetic information, the database also contains the dimension, histologic diagnosis, and location of the tumors, as well as menstrual cycle stage.
This collection provides an excellent source of tissues for evaluation of different mutations within the cytogenetic subgroups of leiomyomata and for detection of novel rearrangements that will suggest the location of other genes involved in the pathogenesis and pathobiology of fibroids. The tissue database is also a valuable resource for analysis of gene expression in the context of chromosomal aberrations and for clinical studies.
If you have fibroids, and are currently undergoing surgical treatment with our clinical collaborator, Dr. Srouji and would like to submit fibroid tissues for research, please call and talk to your doctor or call a study coordinator at 617-525-4434. If you are already a participant and would like to download study documents, please see the Participant Center on this page.