TESTS REQUIRED BEFORE
ADVANCED THERAPY
A complete guide to diagnostic and eligibility tests required before starting immunotherapy, CAR-T, targeted therapy, or other advanced cancer treatments.
Why Pre-Treatment Testing Matters
Advanced cancer therapies require thorough evaluation before initiation. These tests confirm eligibility, identify potential risks, establish baselines for monitoring, and ensure the selected treatment is safe and appropriate.
Universal Pre-Treatment Tests
These tests are required regardless of which advanced therapy is planned.
| Test | Purpose | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Blood Count (CBC) | Assess blood cell levels and bone marrow function | Same day |
| Comprehensive Metabolic Panel | Liver and kidney function assessment | Same day |
| PET-CT or CT Imaging | Disease staging and treatment response baseline | 1-3 days |
| Pathology / Biopsy Review | Confirm diagnosis and histology | Already available |
| Echocardiogram (ECHO) | Cardiac function (LVEF) baseline | Same day |
| Pulmonary Function Tests | Lung capacity assessment | Same day |
| Infectious Disease Panel | HIV, HBV, HCV screening | 1-3 days |
Therapy-Specific Test Requirements
Before CAR-T Therapy
Leukapheresis feasibility, absolute lymphocyte count, cardiac LVEF >40%, no active infections, adequate organ function.
Before Immunotherapy
PD-L1 IHC, MSI/dMMR testing, TMB if applicable, thyroid function baseline, autoimmune disease screening.
Before Targeted Therapy
NGS/genomic profiling for actionable mutations, relevant IHC/FISH confirmation, baseline organ function.
Before TIL Therapy
Resectable tumor for TIL harvest, adequate performance status (ECOG 0-1), cardiac and pulmonary clearance.
Typical Pre-Treatment Testing Timeline
- 1
Medical Records Review
Compile existing pathology, imaging, and treatment history.
- 2
Blood Work & Labs
CBC, CMP, infectious disease panel, tumor markers.
- 3
Cardiac & Pulmonary Assessment
Echocardiogram, EKG, pulmonary function tests.
- 4
Genomic Profiling
NGS panel sent to lab; results take 1-3 weeks.
- 5
Eligibility Confirmation
Oncologist reviews all results and confirms treatment eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Pre-Treatment Testing
How CancerFax Helps
CancerFax is a specialist cancer access and patient-navigation platform. We help patients and families understand their options, organise medical records, coordinate hospital communication, and support cross-border treatment planning where appropriate.
We help collect and organise reports, scans, pathology, biomarker results, and treatment history for structured case review.
We communicate with hospitals or trial teams to assess whether a case may be suitable for further screening.
We support appointment coordination, document submission, translation, and direct communication with international departments.
For international patients, we help with practical coordination โ travel planning, hospital admission guidance, and local support.
If this option is not suitable, we help explore other relevant treatments, clinical trials, or advanced care pathways.
From inquiry through to follow-up, our coordinators provide a single point of contact for the family.
CancerFax does not guarantee treatment access, eligibility, or clinical outcome. Our role is to help patients access accurate information, structured review, and appropriate specialist pathways.
Need Help Coordinating Pre-Treatment Testing?
Upload your reports and our team will guide you through the required testing process for your specific treatment path.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified oncologist before making treatment decisions.