Common Sample Type & Recommended Shipping

PCM Pack Quick Reference Guide

This reference guide for PCM Packs is created based on the common information available regarding common specimen types and their recommended storage and transportation temperature ranges. This guide is only to provide guidance on selection of PCM Packs. It is not to be used as a recommendation for specimen temperature stability.

Sr. No. Sample Type Recommended shipping temperature for stability Recommended PCM Pack
1 Whole Blood
  • Pharmacogenomic testing: Room temperature (15˚C-25˚C/59˚F-77˚F) or frozen.
  • Personalized testing: Room Temperature (15˚C – 25˚C / 59˚F – 77˚F) only, should not be frozen.
2 Saliva
  • Store saliva at room temperature (15°C–25°C/59°F–77°F), avoiding lengthy refrigeration.
3 Buccal Swabs Pre-collection:

  • Store the collection devices at room temperature (15°C–25°C/59°F–77°F).

Post-collection:

  • Samples can be kept at room temperature (15°C–25°C/59°F–77°F) up to 60 days from collection time.
4 Cell-free DNA
  • Store kit at room temperature (18˚C–30°C/65˚F–86°F) prior to specimen collection.
5 DNA
  • DNA specimens should be shipped overnight at room temperature (15°C–25°C/59°F–77°F).
  • If shipping is expected to take longer than overnight to keep the specimen at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (35.6 to 46.6 degrees Fahrenheit)
  • Frozen DNA specimens should be shipped overnight.
6 RNA Pre-collection:

  • Store the unused RNA + Hereditary Cancer Blood Collection Kit at room temperature (18°C–25ºC).

Post-collection:

  • Store the RNA + Hereditary Cancer Blood Collection Kit at either room temperature (18°C–25ºC) or refrigerated until pickup.
7 Post-mortem
  • Post-mortem specimens should be shipped overnight at room temperature (15°C–25°C/59°F–77°F).
  • If shipping is expected to take longer than overnight to keep the specimen at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (35.6 to 46.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • Frozen post-mortem specimens should be shipped overnight.
8 Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block
  • FFPE samples can be stored at ambient temperature (18–30°C/65–86°F). Do not freeze FFPE specimen.