IMPACT TESTING

[violetta115]

Hi everyone,

I've been scheduled to have Impact Testing (Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets) where they sample blood and nail clippings. Is anyone familiar with this?

[hunter5582]

I had not heard of this under this name before. Using next generation sequencing to more specifically tailor treatment for cancer is a very promising step forward. mskcc.org/msk-impact

Please let us know what you learn from the IMPACT study. We can all benefit from what you learn. Thanks for sharing this.

[violetta115 in reply to hunter5582]

Hi Hunter, thank you for your response. I will share what I learn from this testing, which I was told takes about 5 weeks.

[GrammyG in reply to violetta115]

Hi Violetta! I was wondering how things went. That study sounds interesting.

[violetta115 in reply to GrammyG]

Hi GrammyG. I was all set to have this testing done but my insurance would not cover it and the cost would be in the thousands. I had some genetic testing done with my initial bone marrow biopsy and I have the Jak2 V617F mutation reflex to JAK2 Exon 12 and a TET2 mutation. I am currently taking 500mg of Hydroxyurea and 2 baby aspirins daily. My current blood tests are in the normal range. My MPN specialist has suggested I switch to Peg-interferon or Ropeg-interferon in about 3 months. My diagnosis was PV but now I am MPN-U . He said I could have Next Generation Sequencing before then.

[EPguy]

It seems this test may be a newer tech, which could explain why your ins would not pay. It may be uniquely or mostly provided by Sloan Kettering Institute

With 400 genes, this is a very broad test. My nexgen test was for only 54 of them. I would expect it's cheaper per gene.

From the link Hunter noted:

<<A companion test for people with blood cancer MSK-IMPACT Heme, has also been validated and is in use. That test evaluates 400 genes, many of them the same genes that are included for solid tumors>>

It's a good idea that you will get Nex gen before starting INF therapy so you have a base line to compare any changes in mutation burdens.

[violetta115 in reply to EPguy]

I recently ruled out any autoimmune diseases with a rheumatologist which was important if I were to start on either interferon therapy.

[EPguy in reply to violetta115]

That's a great start, and good homework.

There are members here with Psoriasis that do ok with INF, but that is not a severe immune disease. I have it mildly myself.