Specimen Specifics
Regardless of the type of cancer that you have, the EVA-PCD™ assay requires a fresh tumor specimen. Since past biopsies cannot be used for testing, we need to have access to living cancer cells somewhere in your body. The type of specimen you will need depends upon the type of cancer that you have. Rational Therapeutics™' technologies can be applied to virtually any type of cancer.
- Solid Tumor or Lymph Node biopsy processing is appropriate for patients with Non-Hodgkins's lymphoma or solid tumors (breast, ovary, lung, etc.)
- Cytologically Positive Malignant Effusion (Pleural or ascites fluid) is an acceptable specimen for patients who have developed malignant effusion.
- Bone Marrow Sample Processing is appropriate for patients with CLL, CML in blast crisis only, Non-Hodgkins lymphoma with marrow involvement, AML, ALL, and myeloma with 30% plasma cell infiltration or greater.
- Peripheral Blood Sample Processing is appropriate for patients with CLL with lymphocytosis, CML (in blast crisis only), circulating Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and AML or ALL patients with at least WBC 20,000 & 30% Blast.
Your doctor will help you determine what type of sample would be best for you, or you can call us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
How will Rational Therapeutics get my Specimen?
You can either have your specimen collected in Long Beach, or your doctor may collect the specimen and have it sent to our laboratory. We need to receive the specimen within 24 hours of collection. There are specific requirements and procedures to be followed in procuring and sending the specimen to us. The EVA-PCD™ assay specimen preparation guidelines should be provided to your doctor to ensure proper handling and preparation of your specimen. Full instructions are downloadable as Adobe Acrobat PDF files by clicking on the links below:
- To open the Acrobat file with instructions for Cytologically Positive Malignant Effusion (Pleural or Ascites Fluid), or for all other specimens described under "EVA-PCD™ ASSAY SPECIMEN PREPARATION GUIDELINES" above, click here.
- If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat reader (needed to read or print these files), and you would like to install the free software, click here.
- If you would like to order a specimen transportation kit, please contact our office.
Can all Tumor or Blood Specimens be Tested Successfully?
Between 85-95% of specimens received in our laboratory provide successful studies. On rare occasions, cells die en route to our facility. There are also times when a biopsy specimen that appeared malignant to the surgeon may not contain any cancer cells, or too few to test adequately. Under those circumstances, your payment to Rational Therapeutics™ is returned, minus a nominal laboratory processing and shipping fee.
How Long Does this Take?
Once we receive your specimen, your living cancer cells will be exposed to chemotherapeutic agents for 72 hours. They are analyzed by licensed Clinical Laboratory Technicians to determine which drugs have induced cell death (apoptosis). Then your laboratory results are compared with our extensive database to determine the Ex Vivo Best Regimen (EVBR®). A comprehensive report is generated, describing the laboratory findings, literature references, and treatment recommendations for your physician. You should receive this information within 10 days from the time we receive your specimen in our laboratory.
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