RNAlater can be used to collect WGS samples without the need for freezing

You can now send solid cancer samples to East Genomics using RNAlater. This removes the need for immediate freezing or dry ice shipment in many cases and makes out-of-hours sampling safer and more practical. Contact us to request sampling kits.

The introduction of RNAlater (opens in a new tab) provides an alternative to the collection and storage of fresh-frozen samples in situations where this is impractical or infeasible. Our clinical guidance pages for CUH and non-CUH referrers have been updated to reflect this new sampling pathway for solid cancer whole genome sequencing (WGS).

When to use RNAlater

This pathway can be used in situations where:

Samples are collected out of hours – place fresh tissue directly into the tube containing RNAlater
If immediate freezing or courier on dry ice isn’t feasible.

RNAlater samples can only be used for WGS testing. If both diagnostic and WGS tests are required, adequate formalin-fixed material for diagnostic testing must also be collected in a separate pot.

How to request RNAlater kits

Kits can be provided on request, each kit includes six 5 mL tubes of RNAlater (suitable for collection of up to six samples).

To request kits please provide the responsible person’s name and delivery location via:

Phone: 01223 348213 (ask for a Section Leader)
Email: cuh.add-tr.freshtissuehisto@nhs.net

Guidance for non-CUH referrers

1. Sampling & placing tissue in RNAlater

If diagnostic and WGS testing is required: Place diagnostic tissue in formalin and WGS tissue in RNAlater in separate, clearly labelled pots.
Cut tissue to ≤5 mm thickness; use ≥5:1 RNAlater:tissue.
RNAlater enables:
- Room temperature storage up to 1 week
- 4 °C up to 1 month
- for longer storage freeze at –20 °C/–80 °C after an overnight 4 °C soak (solution freezes at –80 °C).

2a. If you have a local cryostat

You may perform frozen-section tumour-purity assessment locally.

For sections after RNAlater, rinse briefly in saline before embedding in OCT; cut a frozen and stain as per local protocols.
The tissue can then be returned to RNAlater after trimming the excess OCT and stored as above.
Send the RNAlater-stabilised tissue to East Genomics with the WGS order form.

Address for WGS submissions

East Genomics Laboratory
Box 143, Level 6, Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre,
Cambridge University Hospitals
Hills Rd, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ.

2b. If you do not have a local cryostat

Place tissue directly into RNAlater as above and send by courier with a histopathology request form for histopathology purity assessment to:

Goods-In, 1000 Discovery Drive
Trumpington
Cambridge
CB2 0AX

The CUH histopathology team will perform frozen-section review and forward to East Genomics.

What to include in the package (checklist)

Cancer WGS order form
Germline EDTA blood and RoD consent optional with tumour or send separately
RNAlater tumour sample(s) (multiple vials acceptable to increase yield)
Copy of histopathology report if available.

Guidance for CUH referrers (via EPIC)

RNAlater sample handling

Key points to be aware of:

Ensure tissue is ≤5 mm in at least one dimension before immersion; use ≥5:1 RNAlater:tissue volume ratio.
Storage:
- Room temperature up to 1 week;
- 4 °C up to 1 month;

Ordering via EPIC

Submit the usual EPIC histopathology order for the fresh specimen(s), clearly stating “WGS – RNAlater” in clinical details, plus a paired formalin specimen where required (Your EPIC request should accompany both samples).

Sample submission

RNAlater samples can be sent to histopathology in the same way as formalin fixed samples (i.e. at room temperature).

For additional support, contact: cuh.add-tr.freshtissuehisto@nhs.net

Easier sampling for cancer whole genome sequencing