logo white

Information for participants

The Biobank Menu

The ADDRI Biobank relies on the samples donated by patients all over Australia.  We are always looking to expand our sample collection to help further our vital research on asbestos and dust-related diseases.

Interested in donating your sample to the ADDRI Biobank? There are a few things to check first:

You must be aged 18 years or over with a diagnosis of mesothelioma, or another asbestos/dust-related disease.

If you are being treated as a patient at one of our collection sites listed below, we would need to contact your treating doctor and ask them to initiate the consent process and arrange a suitable time to collect your sample as part of your care/treatment.

If you are not being treated in one of the collection sites, we would invite you to come into ADDRI to meet with one of our approved Consenters and they will guide you through the consent process. Your sample will be collected during this visit.

A/Professor Anthony Linton

If you are interested in participating, please email A/Professor Anthony Linton at biobank@addri.org.au

Where are the collection sites?

There are nine approved collection sites in NSW:

Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute, Concord

Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord

Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown

Royal Prince Alfred Hosptal (RPAH), Camperdown

Momentum Clinical Research, Darlinghurst

Blacktown Hospital, Blacktown

Westmead Hospital, Westmead

Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Sunshine Coast

iCare, Kent Street

Help advance silicosis research: Blood sample donation – Now recruiting

 

Read more

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to donate a sample to the ADDRI Biobank?

Adults aged 18 years or over with a diagnosis of or suspected diagnosis of mesothelioma or other asbestos/dust-related diseases.  It is important that each person is able to understand what’s involved and can give their informed, written consent.

Exclusion criteria: People under the age of 18 years, people unable to provide informed consent due to mental impairment and people with unstable medical conditions (other than cancer).

What is informed consent?

It is important that each person is able to understand what’s involved and can give their voluntary, informed and written consent to provide samples and data to the Biobank.

A consent form must be read, understood and signed.  The consenting process is done and fully explained by an approved staff member at one of the collection sites or at ADDRI.

Is my information private?

All samples are de-identified, meaning personal details are removed.  Your samples are securely linked with clinical health information so researchers can study health patterns without knowing who the sample came from.  Your samples and personal information are securely stored in an in-house database with authorised access only.  Your identity is never revealed to researchers.

What type of samples can I donate?

ADDRI is currently collecting the following samples: Blood, tumour tissue, pleural, ascites and peritoneal fluids, bronchioalveolar lavage fluid and stool.

What happens to my samples?

Your samples are stored in a long-term cold storage facility.  Researchers may request access to samples and data after an ethics approval process and completing a Material Transfer Agreement that is overseen and approved by the ADDRI Biobank Steering Committee.

What if I want to withdraw my samples?

You can withdraw your samples and data at any time. Your decision will be written down and you can choose what happens next – for example, whether we stop contacting you, stop using your sample, or both.

Once you leave the study, we won’t collect any more information about you.  Your treating team will also be informed of your decision and will respect your wishes.

To withdraw, please advise your treating team or contact the ADDRI Academic and Research Director, A/Professor Anthony Linton via phone (02) 9767 9800 or email biobank@addri.org.au

I have been exposed to asbestos or silica - can I donate to the ADDRI Biobank?

While the ADDRI Biobank currently only collects samples from people who have recevied a diagnosis of a dust-related disease such as mesothelioma or silicosis, there may be other ongoing studies at ADDRI that may be suitable.  Please do get in touch with the Biobank team via email biobank@addri.org.au.

The people behind the research – meet our scientists

Read more

Why the ADDRI Biobank matters — our patient stories

Read more

Sign up to our newsletter

Sign up
Skip to content