Additional Molecular Insights to Support Personalized Cancer Care Discussions
When facing cancer, many patients want additional information that may help them better understand their disease and support conversations about their care.
At Internal Healing and Wellness MD (IHAWMD), patients can access advanced molecular cancer testing through RGCC International. These tests evaluate circulating tumor cells, molecular markers, and laboratory-observed treatment responses to provide additional insight that may support personalized cancer care discussions.
Disclaimer: RGCC testing provides additional biological information. It does not replace standard cancer diagnostics, imaging, pathology, or treatment guidance from a licensed oncologist.
What Is RGCC Testing?
Research Genetic Cancer Center (RGCC International) is a specialized laboratory that focuses on circulating tumor cell analysis, molecular profiling, and functional cancer testing. Using blood or tissue samples, RGCC testing provides additional biological information that may help clinicians better understand certain characteristics of a patient's cancer.
Using blood or tissue samples, RGCC testing may evaluate:
- Circulating tumor cells and cancer stem cells
- Molecular characteristics associated with tumor behavior
- Laboratory-observed responses to selected agents
- Biological changes that may be monitored over time
Because some tumors release cells into the bloodstream, analyzing these cells may provide additional information about tumor biology through an approach commonly described as a liquid biopsy.
RGCC Tests Available Through IHAWMD
Each RGCC test is designed to examine a different aspect of tumor biology or laboratory-observed treatment sensitivity. You do not need to choose a test before your consultation. Dr. Imran Khan, MD, and Mechele Adrian, FNP, will review your diagnosis, current treatment plan, and goals to determine which panel may provide the most relevant information.
OncoTrace
- What it evaluates: Circulating tumor cells and molecular markers associated with tumor behavior, including characteristics related to aggressiveness, treatment resistance, and metastatic activity.
- Cancer-specific: No. OncoTrace provides a broader profile of circulating tumor cells.
- Agents evaluated: None. This test examines tumor cells and their molecular characteristics rather than treatment sensitivity.
- What it may help clarify: The presence and biological characteristics of circulating tumor cells.
OncoTrail
- What it evaluates: Circulating tumor cells and related markers associated with a particular type of cancer.
- Cancer-specific: Yes. Available panels vary depending on the malignancy being evaluated.
- Agents evaluated: None. This test focuses on cancer-specific tumor cells and markers rather than treatment sensitivity.
- What it may help clarify: Whether circulating tumor cells associated with a specific cancer type are detected and, when testing is repeated, how findings may change over time.
Onconomics Extracts
- What it evaluates: How cancer cells isolated from a patient’s sample respond to selected natural substances and plant extracts in a controlled laboratory setting.
- Cancer-specific: The analysis is performed using cancer cells isolated from the individual patient’s sample.
- Agents evaluated: Selected natural substances and plant extracts; conventional chemotherapy agents are not included.
- What it may help clarify: Which tested natural substances produce an observable response in the laboratory.
Onconomics Plus
- What it evaluates: How cancer cells isolated from a patient’s sample respond to selected conventional cancer treatments and natural substances in a controlled laboratory setting.
- Cancer-specific: The analysis is performed using cancer cells isolated from the individual patient’s sample.
- Agents evaluated: Selected conventional agents and natural substances.
- What it may help clarify: How the tested agents compare based on laboratory-observed sensitivity findings.
Laboratory sensitivity results do not predict or guarantee that an agent will produce the same response in the body.
RGCC Liquid Biopsy Testing Versus a Standard Tissue Biopsy
A tissue biopsy examines cells collected directly from a tumor or suspicious area. RGCC testing uses a liquid biopsy approach to evaluate tumor-related cells and markers circulating in the bloodstream.
Depending on the selected panel, RGCC testing may provide:
- Less invasive sample collection
- Additional insight into circulating tumor biology
- Molecular or treatment-sensitivity information
- The ability to monitor biological changes through repeat testing
RGCC testing complements, rather than replaces, tissue biopsy, imaging, pathology, and other established oncology diagnostics.
Who Might Benefit From RGCC Testing?
RGCC testing may be considered by patients seeking additional biological information as part of an integrative or functional oncology approach. While every patient's situation is unique, testing may be appropriate for those who:
- Seek additional biological information beyond established diagnostic findings
- Want to better understand selected characteristics of their tumor biology
- Need to monitor circulating tumor cells or related biological changes over time
- Want laboratory-based information to support discussions with their oncology care team
Dr. Imran Khan, MD, and Mechele Adrian, FNP, review each patient's diagnosis, treatment plan, and goals to determine whether RGCC testing may be appropriate. Findings should be reviewed collaboratively among the patient, the IHAWMD team, and the patient's licensed oncologist.
How RGCC Testing May Inform Your Care
Depending on the panel selected, RGCC testing may provide additional biological information that helps clinicians better understand certain characteristics of a patient's cancer. Results may help clinicians:
- Identify molecular characteristics associated with tumor activity
- Evaluate laboratory-observed responses to selected agents
- Monitor circulating tumor cells and related biological changes over time
- Support more informed discussions about personalized care with the patient's oncology team
RGCC results are intended to complement established clinical information and should always be interpreted alongside medical history, pathology, imaging, current treatments, and other relevant findings.
How RGCC Testing May Inform Discussions About SOT and Q-REstrain
In selected cases, RGCC findings may be reviewed when considering Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT), Q-REstrain, or other individualized approaches available through IHAWMD. Test results are only one part of that evaluation and do not establish that either option is appropriate for a particular patient.
These approaches are investigational and adjunctive. Any potential use should be evaluated alongside the patient’s diagnosis, medical history, current treatment plan, and guidance from their licensed oncology team.
Important Considerations
RGCC testing may provide additional biological insight, but it also has important limitations that patients should understand:
- Laboratory-observed responses do not guarantee clinical outcomes.
- Results should always be interpreted alongside established clinical findings, including pathology, imaging, and medical history.
- RGCC testing is not universally recognized as the standard of care for selecting cancer treatment.
- Findings should be discussed with the patient's licensed oncologist before making treatment decisions.
At IHAWMD, we emphasize evidence-aware interpretation, transparency, and collaboration with each patient's oncology team. Our role is to help patients understand their results and how they may contribute to broader cancer care discussions.
How the RGCC Testing Process Works
1. Initial Consultation
During a virtual or in-office consultation, Dr. Imran Khan, MD, or Mechele Adrian, FNP, reviews your diagnosis, available medical records, current treatment plan, treatment schedule, and goals. The clinician will review your situation to determine whether RGCC testing may be helpful, when it should be performed, and which RGCC test may be most relevant.
2. On-Site Blood Draw
If testing is selected, an RGCC-trained nurse practitioner performs the blood draw at IHAWMD and prepares the sample according to laboratory requirements.
3. Sample Processing and Shipment
The IHAWMD team coordinates the processing and shipment of your sample to the specialty laboratory.
4. Laboratory Analysis
The laboratory analyzes the sample according to the selected panel. Results are typically available within approximately 2.5 to 4 weeks, although processing times may vary.
5. Results Consultation
During a detailed follow-up consultation, the IHAWMD team explains the findings, discusses the test’s limitations, and reviews how the information may contribute to your broader cancer care plan. When appropriate, relevant findings may also be shared with your oncology team.
Not Sure Whether RGCC Testing Is Appropriate for Your Situation?
During an initial consultation, the IHAWMD team can review your diagnosis, current treatment schedule, available medical records, and goals to determine whether an RGCC panel may provide relevant additional information. You do not need to select a test before scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need to choose a panel before your appointment. Dr. Khan and Mechele Adrian, FNP, will review your diagnosis, current treatment plan, and goals to determine which available test may be appropriate.
Yes. RGCC testing can use a blood sample to analyze circulating tumor cells and related markers. It does not replace tissue biopsy, imaging, pathology, or other standard diagnostic testing.
RGCC test results are typically available within approximately 2.5 to 4 weeks after IHAWMD sends your sample to the specialty laboratory. Timing may vary depending on the selected panel and processing requirements.
Current or recent treatments may affect circulating tumor cell levels and result interpretation. The IHAWMD team will review your treatment schedule to determine whether and when testing may be appropriate.
Yes. Repeat testing may be considered to monitor circulating tumor cells or related biological changes. The appropriate panel and testing schedule depend on each patient’s clinical circumstances.
RGCC testing costs vary depending on the test selected, and insurance coverage differs by plan. Patients receive information about recommended testing and associated costs before proceeding.
References
- Smit DJ, Schneegans S, Pantel K. Clinical applications of circulating tumor cells in patients with solid tumors. Clinical & Experimental Metastasis. 2024;41(4):403–411. doi:10.1007/s10585-024-10267-5. PubMed
- Nikanjam M, Kato S, Kurzrock R. Liquid biopsy: current technology and clinical applications. Journal of Hematology & Oncology. 2022;15:131. doi:10.1186/s13045-022-01351-y. PubMed
- Flobak Å, Russnes HG, Hovig E, Skånland SS, Taskén K. Functional precision cancer medicine: drug sensitivity screening enabled by cell culture models. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences. 2022;43(11):973–985. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2022.08.009. Publisher record
Discuss RGCC Testing With Our Team
If you are considering circulating tumor cell analysis or RGCC molecular testing, schedule a consultation with IHAWMD.
Our team can help determine which panel may be appropriate and explain how the findings may contribute to your broader oncology care plan.