What to Expect

Step 1: Your Doctor Orders the Test

What happens:

• Your oncologist reviews your case and determines organoid testing would be valuable
• They complete a test requisition form
• OncoForma coordinates with your medical team

What you do:

• Discuss the test with your oncologist
• Ask questions about how results will be used
• Provide consent for tissue collection (if needed)

Step 2: Sample Collection

What happens:

• A small tumor sample is collected during a procedure you're already scheduled for:
  • Biopsy (needle or endoscopic)
  • Surgical tumor removal
  • Fluid drainage (in some cases)
• The sample is placed in special preservation solution
• Shipped to OncoForma's partner laboratory

What you do:

Nothing extra! This uses tissue from procedures already planned for your care.

• No additional appointments or procedures

Step 3: Organoid Culture (Lab Processing)

What happens:

• Lab scientists receive your sample (usually within 24 hours)
• They carefully separate cancer cells from surrounding tissue
• Cancer cells are placed in a 3D culture system that mimics your body
• Cells grow into small "mini-tumors" (organoids) over 7-14 days
• Quality checks ensure organoids are viable and representative

What you do:

• Continue with your current treatment plan (if any)
• Wait for results—no action needed during this phase

Step 4: Drug Screening

What happens:

• Your organoids are divided into hundreds of tiny wells
• Each well receives a different drug or drug combination (1,800+ drugs tested)
• Scientists observe how your organoids respond:
  • Do they stop growing?
  • Do they die?
  • Do they keep growing despite the drug?
• Advanced imaging tracks responses in real-time
• Data is analyzed to rank drug effectiveness

What you do:

• Still no action needed—lab team handles everything
• Your oncologist may begin discussing potential treatment plans

Step 5: Integration with Genomic Data

What happens:

• If you've had genomic/molecular testing, OncoForma integrates those results
• Scientists compare:
  • What your genes suggest (genomic data)
  • How your tumor actually behaves (organoid data)
• This dual approach identifies the most promising treatments

What you do:

• Provide any previous genetic testing reports to your oncologist (if available)

Step 6: Report Generation

What happens:

• Medical scientists create a comprehensive report with:
  • Highly Sensitive: Drugs your tumor responded strongly to
  • Moderately Sensitive: Drugs with partial effectiveness
  • Resistant: Drugs unlikely to work
  • Clinical context and treatment recommendations
• Report is reviewed by oncology experts
• Sent securely to your oncologist

What you do:

• Schedule a follow-up appointment with your oncologist to discuss results

Step 7: Results Discussion with Your Doctor

What happens:

• Your oncologist reviews the report with you
• Together, you discuss:
  • Which drugs showed the best response
  • How this fits with other testing (scans, bloodwork, genomics)
  • Your treatment preferences and goals
  • Next steps for your care
• Treatment plan is finalized

What you do:

• Ask questions about the results
• Discuss any concerns about recommended treatments
• Make informed decisions about your care