Faqs
How do I order a SHEPHERD report?
To order a SHEPHERD report, you simply click the "ORDER YOUR SHEPHERD REPORT" button anywhere on the website and you will be out in contact with one of our team members for further guidance.
What type of sequencing is required to receive a SHEPHERD report?
Whole genome sequencing (“WGS”) is recommended. SHEPHERD operates primarily on RNA and transcriptomic data but can leverage DNA data as well.
Who are your preferred sequencing providers?
SHEPHERD’s preference is to receive WGS from Tempus Labs but can work with other sequencing providers (with confirmation that they are able to share data). Please consult with the SHEPHERD team to liaise this process if there are additional questions. Reach out to info@shepherd.com.
What can I expect when I receive a report?
SHEPHERD reports are explained in detail on the site. Reports provide patients with information on the known drugs and drug combinations that are available for each individual patient. These identified single agents and combinations are presented with additional supporting scientific literature for physician reference.
How do I obtain the results?
Your results will be emailed to you within 2-3 days of SHEPHERD's receipt of your tumor sequencing data.
What is SHEPHERD turnaround time for results?
While results vary for individual patients depending on the sequencing provider and data quality, the average turnaround time for a report once patient data is uploaded is 2-3 business days.
What types of cancer does a SHEPHERD report cover?
The DELVE report is a pan-cancer (all cancers) diagnostic.
How do I know if I am a good candidate for a SHEPHERD report?
SHEPHERD works with all cancer patients. The only prerequisite to being eligible for a DELVE report is to have a biopsy of your most recent tumor.
When is payment for a SHEPHERD report due?
Payment details for a DELVE report are due upon initial request. Patients are billed for their reports upon delivery of the downloadable PDF.
How much does a SHEPHERD report cost?
SHEPHERD reports are priced at $3,500. Financial assistance can be provided. Costs currently must be covered out of pocket.
Are SHEPHERD reports covered by insurance?
Currently, SHEPHERD reports are non-reimbursable by insurance.
How do I contact you if I have more questions?
Please reach out to info@shepherd.com for more information.
How does the technology work?
DELVE uses whole genome and transcriptome data from each submitted tumor sample to identify targetable mutations or cellular pathways for a given patient. Utilizing both publicly available and proprietary data regarding cancer drug targets in vitro and in vivo, DELVE then uses its advanced predictive technology to derive single or multi-agent therapies to specifically target the genes or cellular pathways causing your patient’s tumor to grow.
What is the process?
After obtaining patient informed consent, the clinical team will submit a fresh, frozen tissue sample from the patient’s cancer as well as a sample of blood. (Note that formalin-fixed samples are not acceptable as they do not allow for transcriptome sequencing). Ideally, the tumor specimen submitted should be representative of the most recent site of tumor growth in order to uncover the current pathway of growth or resistance, which may even require an updated biopsy in some cases. There may be added benefit in tissue from serial biopsies to determine the evolution of resistance pathways between progression events.
Upon receipt of tissues, DELVE will collaborate with our sequencing partner to perform whole exome and whole genome sequencing on the submitted specimens. We will then process the data using our proprietary bioinformatic algorithm to compare your patient’s tumor data with a comprehensive library of cancer therapeutics, matching the precise growth pathways and mutations of your patient’s cancer to commercially available chemotherapies.
What will the report include?
The report will include information on individual growth pathways that are upregulated or downregulated in your patient’s cancer sample. Moreover, it will provide single-drug and multi-drug commercially-available therapies that may be considered in your patient, as well as specific rationale and citations to support each medication or combination. In many cases, these products will be off-label for your patient’s cancer type, and in some cases specific combinations recommended may not have available clinical data; you and your clinical team will utilize the information we provide along with your own knowledge, experience, and clinical judgment to determine the best therapeutic option for your patient.
How is this different from other commercially available testing platforms?
DELVE takes an entirely new approach to tumor characterization and to therapeutic identification. Whereas most leading cancer sequencing companies evaluate static genomic alterations (e.g. BRAF V600E) and recommend targeted therapies based on this data, the DELVE platform focuses on sequencing the transcriptome which is dynamic and representative of current cellular mechanics and resistance patterns. Moreover, our library of available therapeutics includes both on-target and off-target data from in vitro and in vivo experiments, thus including the entire range of therapeutic effect for each drug. Finally, our in silico analysis allows for one-of-a-kind evaluation of drug combinations against transcriptomic alteration patterns.
