The NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) publishes treatment guidelines listing drugs recommended for each cancer type. These guidelines cover roughly 10% of the 300+ FDA-approved cancer drugs. The other 90% are "off-guideline," which means approved by the FDA for other cancers but not yet studied or listed for yours. Drug Sensitivity Tests can identify which of these drugs may work for your specific tumor.

Drug Sensitivity Tests (DSTs) take a sample of your live cancer cells and expose them to hundreds of FDA-approved drugs in a laboratory setting. Using advanced imaging and AI analysis, the tests identify which specific drugs are most likely to be effective against your cancer. This allows your oncologist to select treatments based on your tumor's actual response, rather than population averages from clinical trials.

Because the drugs identified are already FDA-approved, many insurers will cover them, especially with the Scientific Evidence Report Cancer Commons provides. Prior authorization, compassionate use programs, and other payment pathways are explored for each patient. The study team works with you and your oncologist to navigate coverage.

No. Your oncologist makes every treatment decision. Cancer Commons provides expert scientific analysis, identifying potentially effective drugs and assembling the published evidence that supports their use. Think of it as giving your oncologist additional, deeply researched options to consider.

Cancer Commons provides its scientific analysis at no charge. Costs may be associated with the Drug Sensitivity Test itself (which varies by test provider) and with the treatment drugs (covered through insurance, compassionate use, or other pathways). The study team will discuss all potential costs with you upfront.

Most clinical trials require you to travel to a designated research hospital or trial site, sometimes across the country. This study has no physical trial site. You participate wherever you are, with your own oncologist. Cancer Commons conducts its scientific analysis remotely. Your tissue sample is sent to a Drug Sensitivity Test lab by mail. All coordination happens by phone and email. You never need to leave your treatment center.

Clinical trials test unproven experimental drugs and typically require travel to a trial site, randomization, and sometimes placebos. This is a site-less observational study using FDA-approved drugs that have already passed safety testing. You stay with your own oncologist. You are not randomized. There is no placebo. Your oncologist chooses your treatment. The study observes and records outcomes to determine which diagnostic tests best predict drug effectiveness.