Figg’s lab will pick up the sample and ship to Epic Sciences as noted below. Record the date and exact time of draw on the tube. Please e-mail NCIBloodcore@mail.nih.gov at least 24 hours before transporting samples (the Friday before is preferred). For sample pickup, page 102-11964. For immediate help, call 240-760-6180 (main blood processing core number) or, if no answer, 240-760-6190 (main clinical pharmacology lab number). For questions regarding sample processing, contact NCIBloodcore@mail.nih.gov Samples will be shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight to Epic Sciences. These samples will be sent in ambient shippers provided by Epic Sciences to keep samples at room temperature. Alternatively, PBMCs collected and stored at -80oC for immunology assays may also be shipped to Epic Sciences for CTC analysis. Samples will be shipped to the following address: Epic Sciences Attn: Joseph Schonhoft 9381 Judicial Drive, Ste. 200 San Diego, CA 92121 858-263-0694 4.1.5 Plasma VEGF levels Serum samples will be collected to measure vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels. For this purpose, one 6mL EDTA tube will be obtained at baseline (prior to treatment), 1 month, 3 months, and every 3 months thereafter until time of progression. The analysis will be done with assays developed on electrochemiluminescence platform that provides ultra-high sensitivity and very large signal dynamic range.