FAQ

Once you decide you would like to work with Tempus, contact us at support@tempus.com and we will send you appropriate manuals, forms, and specimen collection kits based on your specific needs and requirements.

A test can be ordered by faxing a completed requisition form to us at 800.893.0276, emailing a completed requisition form to support@tempus.com, or by submitting an online order through the Tempus Clinical Portal.

Our labs sequence both DNA and RNA from tumor samples as well as matched DNA from normal samples. Sequencing options include a tumor targeted panel of 648 genes (at 500x coverage) and whole exome (at 500x coverage for the clinically enhanced regions (648 genes) and at 250x for non-enhanced regions), and a blood-based liquid biopsy of 105 genes (at 20,000x coverage).

Yes, the lab is CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited.

Yes, the lab is CLEP-certified. We offer the Tempus xTv4 NYS assay.

Tempus requires your patient’s tumor and blood or saliva specimens for DNA and RNA sequencing. Tissue specimen handling and preparation procedures should meet our requirements, which are available here. Tempus handles all logistics to obtain the tumor specimen.

Somatic sequencing uses formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) or fresh-frozen specimens to identify genomic alterations in cancers. To sequence circulating hematologic malignancies, Tempus Labs accepts bone marrow or peripheral blood in an EDTA tube. In addition, FFPE bone marrow clots and FFPE tissue specimens involved with hematological malignancies are accepted as well. All raw sequencing data is available, and potentially relevant therapies are reported and prioritized based on the strength of the clinical evidence that establishes the association between a given genomic alteration and a relevant therapeutic option. RNA sequencing on tumor samples may be performed to analyze actionable genomic aberrations (e.g., gene fusions and/or rearrangements), gene expression analysis, rare and novel transcript discovery, and splice variant detection.*

*RNA sequencing is clinically and analytically validated for unbiased detection of oncogenic fusions and/or rearrangements. RNA Sequencing is considered research use only for xTv4 NYS.

Tempus reports on relevant therapeutic indications for detected somatic or gene expression alterations for which there is clinical evidence linking a given alteration to any FDA-approved therapy in the cancer under study, or another cancer, and for alterations associated with a known or suspected resistance to a certain therapy or alterations that impact prognosis.

The first page summarizes the most relevant therapies with potential benefit and potential lack of benefit. Relevant therapies are prioritized based on the strength of the clinical evidence that establishes the association between a given genomic alteration and a relevant therapeutic option. The report cites clinical evidence that establishes the association between each genomic alteration and the matched therapy, and it provides a bibliography of published research or consensus recommendations relevant to the targeted biomarkers and therapies. The clinical trials section identifies potential biomarker-based clinical trials based on the patient’s diagnosis, genomic characteristics, and clinical trials that are actively recruiting. Genomically focused clinical trials are prioritized over non-genomically focused clinical trials.

When your Tempus account is created, you will receive an email with your unique login information. You will be able to login to access your patientʼs detailed report, including both the clinical and research sections, when the report is completed. If you are EMR integrated with Tempus, your results will be delivered directly to your EMR.

Tempus results can be expected ~7–10 days after samples are received (both blood and tissue). Sequencing will not begin until all required specimens are received.

Yes, we work with many academic institutions and principal investigators on research projects pertaining to genomic sequencing of cancer patients. Please email support@tempus.com to get started.

Please call our Customer Support Team at 800.739.4137 or email support@tempus.com.

Yes. Please email us at global@tempus.com and a member of our international team will reach out to you.

Yes. Please email us at global@tempus.com and a member of our international team will reach out to you.