RGCC test?

[Flower2011]

Has anyone done the RGCC test, I’ve been reading about it and wondered if it helped.

[Rachael47]

What is it?

[Flower2011 in reply to Rachael47]

It’s a test I read about that tests your blood and advises on specific chemo drugs and supplements that will help your particular type of cancer. I’ve copied from their website below, it’s big in America but they have couple clinics in the UK . I think it’s expensive which is why I wanted to know if anyone has used it. I’m not advertising it just curious at this stage.

Chemosensitivity Testing

There is a growing interest in personalized cancer treatments and the identification of suitable treatments that may work for each cancer patient. Chemosensitivity testing is one method of doing this. Oncologists primarily rely on the statistical analysis of large treatment trials to decide which drugs to use for specific cancers. Chemosensitivity testing involves testing an individual’s cancer cells in the laboratory to identify which drugs and natural substances demonstrate the best response.

The R.G.C.C Group test is a blood test (or in some cases tissue tests). Tumor cells are identified and isolated from the sample for the following analysis:

•Viability testing of chemotherapy drugs

•Genetic profiling for guidance about targeted therapies e.g. monoclonal antibodies

•Viability testing (and identification of mechanisms of action), of natural substances which may be used as part of a complementary treatment strategy.

The results are presented in a written report which the doctor can use to help guide treatment options and choices. In addition, R.G.C.C. Group can provide information about how an individual will ‘handle’ specific chemotherapy agents. Our genetic make-up determines whether we are ‘accumulators’ or ‘rapid metabolizers’ of certain drugs. This can play a critical role in determining how effective a specific treatment is likely to be for us, and how significant the side effects will be.

[Flamingobeef18 in reply to Flower2011]

Sorry but my “quackery “ alarm bells are ringing!!!

Please proceed with caution (and don’t hand over any cash.)

There is reason why certain investigations are not available on the NHS and it is not always because of the cost, it is often because they don’t actually work.

All they are offering to do is a blood test. If it was that simple to find out this vital information we would all be having them for nothing.

Juliax

[koffeekat99]

No idea about whether the test is of any use or not. I'd certainly do a lot of research on that side of it before handing any money over. Is stuff circulating in your blood that they are testing really indicative of what your tumour is doing? Not sure.

But even before all of that I'd ask your medical team what they think. If they think it's of use then could you have it done through them? If they don't think it's of any use then what's the point of having it if they're not going to use the results anyway. Could they be convinced after the results were in? Would you then decide to go private and would a private doctor use the test results?

What do you hope to get out of it and is it a possibility?

I can understand why you are looking. Am I right that you have LG OC? I'm also LG so also like to look into the possibilities that may help to direct future treatment. I do feel like I go into appointments with a list of possibilities to discuss that I've found rather than having suggestions made for me to consider. So I think it's always worth opening up a discussion with the medical team to see what's possible. And also not necessarily to discard things that they won't consider because things may change over time.

But I would do a bit more digging on the reliability of this test and how it can be used.

[Bliney in reply to koffeekat99]

I had a molecular profile test from Foundation One. My oncologist ordered it for me. They can be quite useful and the stuff on their website is quite informative

[NIKKibailie]

Hi. I did it on the advice of my natrapath bob Jacobs. It was really expensive ( 2k) and it told me that carboplatin, cistaplatin would work and gemcidabine. I was mis diagnosed and originally and wrongly was treated with carbo taxol for clear cell adenacarcinoma. It wasn’t and thank god after being referred to lederman at UCLH it was discovered that I have a yolk sac germ cell tumour. It’s been a complete mess but we’re getting through. It said and rightly that taxol wouldn’t work. I’m now embarking on EP, Etoposide and cistaplatin and then high dose chemo in August to get rid of it for good.the interesting thing was it did a test for circulating tumour cells and this came back as 2.2. Anything under 4 is good and shoes a slow activity but 0 is optimal. After this 4 sessions I’ll have the test again. I had major surgery 4 weeks ago to remove a tiny lump on the omentum and it was positive to cancer so hence the chemo and heavy dose. As I was wrongly treated it makes sense there would be something lingering.I think those 2.2ctc were a good indication. The problem with the RGCC test is your oncologist has to be on board. Mine hadn’t heard of it so wasn’t up for going against what he knows works for my particular cancer. It’s important to get them

On side I think before you pay all that money. I really do think the recommendations of supplements is good and the CTC test is a good indication. Ask anything x