Frequently Asked Questions

What is Target Now?

Target Now® is a comprehensive tumor analysis coupled with an exhaustive clinical literature search which matches appropriate therapies to patient-specific biomarker information to generate an evidence-based treatment approach.

Target Now provides clinically relevant, individualized therapeutic guidance to help improve patient care and potentially enhance clinical outcomes.  Target Now may reveal treatment options not considered before and identifies therapies that may not be effective.

What patient type is right for Target Now?

Patients with solid tumors:

  • Patients who have exhausted standard-of-care therapies.
  • Patients who have highly aggressive tumor types and are expected to have minimal benefit to standard of care therapies.
  • Patients who have limited treatment options.
  • Patients who have rare tumors
What types of malignancies are appropriate for Target Now testing?

The Target Now analysis can be performed on patients with all tumors types. The Target Now testing platform is both robust and flexible, allowing physicians to submit either formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue or fresh frozen tissue samples.

What evidence supports Target Now testing?

The scientific staff at Caris Life Sciences™ has more than three decades of experience in the field of molecular biologics and genomic study. The body of substantive research and literature continues to grow rapidly, furthering the evidence that supports the link between molecular biomarker targets and therapeutic agents for various cancers. These data are the basis of the Target Now testing protocol.

Target Now outcomes investigations follow rigorous methods of evaluation by an independent medical evaluation team, using the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended review process. Additional information on this outcomes evidence and literature review can be provided upon request. Feedback is encouraged regarding experiences with the latest targeted therapeutics and the literature. These communications are an essential aspect of creating information sharing between clinical practice applications and future developments of Target Now.

How are results reported?

The Target Now report provides results in an easy to interpret format. The first page provides a summary of the possible drug treatment plans that may have clinical benefit or no clinical benefit to patient care. Both standard of care and non-approved therapies associated with clinical benefit or lack of benefit.  Subsequent pages provide more in-depth analysis of the actual protein and gene expression levels of every biomarker analyzed. Finally, the report describes the levels of evidence associated with each marker and the logic between the marker expression and the therapeutic indication. In most cases, one or more potential treatment options are identified.

How is Target Now ordered?

Please call Caris Life Sciences™ at 800.901.5177 to learn more about ordering Target Now. A client services representative who can assist with all aspects of Target Now, including requisitions, shipping, and sample requirements, will answer the call.

Is Target Now reimbursed?

The Target Now is typically reimbursed by Medicare and other third party payers. Other than co-payments or deductibles required by the patient's plan, there are normally no out-of-pocket costs for the patient. If you are having any difficulty with drug reimbursement for your patients please contact Caris Life Sciences at 800.901.5177.