<b>Laboratories That Test for Chemosensitivity or Extreme Drug Resistance</b>


<b>READ FIRST </b>
written by doctordee

Live Tissue Testing
Here is a list of laboratories that reportedly test chemo agents on live tissue. They may or may not do other tissue tests. They require one to two grams of tissue in each carrying container. A gram of water is one cubic centimeter. A cube approximately 3/8 " on a side. This cannot be gotten by needle biopsy, not even core needle biopsy. This particular test requires special carrier medium and FedEx Express refrigerated shipping to the laboratory.  You must contact the laboratory ahead of time to arrange to receive the shipping material as well as determining the testing you want done.

Paraffin Block Tissue Testing
Paraffin block tumor is the resected tumor, which was embalmed and then set in a wax block, which can be shaved [microtome slices] to provide microscope slides for tests on dead tissue. The paraffin or wax block of the tumor is the one that is stored at the original laboratory where your tumor went for diagnosis after surgery. Some of this tumor can be easily forwarded to other laboratories or sarcoma pathologists or sarcoma oncologists for tests and further investigation. 
This list is not exhaustive, and no recommendation is made toward use of any specific laboratory.  Check with your health insurance as to which tests they will pay for. 

Note:  Rational Therapeutics will do testing for drug combinations, like gemcitabine + taxotere, as well as single agents.  This is a useful addition.


<b>Where is it done?</b>
compiled by Jack

1. Rational Therapeutics, INC 
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Tel: 562-989-6455
Fax: 562-989-8160
750 East 29th St.Long Beach CA 90806
E-mail:  Client.Services@RationalTherapeutics.com
Dr. Nagourney is the director.
He will test combinations of chemotherapy agents
and will also test some novel ones like trisenox
[arsenic trioxide] 

2. Weisenthal Cancer Group
15140 Transistor Lane
Huntington Beach
CA 92649 Tel 714-894-0011
The group does not have a website for patients to contact about its clinical services, but information about these clinical services is available by phone ( after 9 AM Pacific Time) in the United States. 

3. Oncotech , INC 
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(800) 662-6832 (24Hr)
(800) 576-6326
Oncotech, Incorporated
1791 Kaiser Avenue
Irvine, California 92614
Contact them for all the details on how to go about sending fresh tissue from a tumor for most of the tests . Some of the tests may be able to be done on pathology paraffin blocks.

4. Impath,INC 
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New York, NY 10019
Los Angeles, CA 90066
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Client Services: (800) 447-5816
 
5. Precision Therapeutics, Inc. 
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Email:  Info@ptilabs.com 
Precision Therapeutics, Inc. 
2516 Jane Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Phone 866.243.6639 
Fax  866.243.2424
 
6. Carl von Hess Hospital Germany 
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For questions and information call the number:
(0049) 9732-900156
fax-number: (0049) 9732-900159
U.Reith, Secretary Dr.Müller
 
7. Bath Cancer Research Unit England
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Wolfson Centre, Royal United Hospital, Bath, BA1 3NG, England
Department of Postgraduate Medicine, University of Bath
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 824 124 
Fax: +44 (0) 1225 824 114 
Email: bcr@bath.ac.uk
 
8. Human Tumor Cloning Laboratory 
Laboratory Director: Mary Guzman
e-mail: "mguzman@azcc.arizona.edu"
Laboratory Technician: Robert B. Isett
e-mail: "bisett@azcc.arizona.edu"
Telephone: (520) 626-7871
Arizona Cancer Center
1515 N. Campbell Ave.
Rm. 3916
Tucson AZ 85724
  
9. NuOncology Labs,INC 
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Medical Laboratory 
8032 El Rio
Houston, TX 77054 
Telephone: 713.747.6003
Toll Free: 888.274.4657
Facsimile:713.747.0799
 