Know Your Patient’s BRAF Mutation Status Before You Make Your Treatment Decision
BRAF mutation status is an important prognostic factor when choosing a first-line therapy for your patients with stage IIIB/C and stage IV melanoma.1,2
Knowing the BRAF status of each of your patients may help you understand all the treatment options that are available.
Novartis is here to shine a light on your patient’s BRAF mutation status.
Now Offering BRAF Testing for All of Your Patients With Stage III and Stage IV Melanoma*
The Know Now BRAF Testing Program will use the THxID®-BRAF kit to test for V600E/K mutations, and the results you need will be available approximately 48 hours after the Quest Central Lab (San Juan Capistrano, California) receives the BRAF Test Request Form and the sample.
*C43, melanoma; C80, malignant neoplasm, unspecified; Z85, personal history of malignant neoplasm.
The THxID-BRAF kit is a registered trademark of bioMérieux, Inc.
References: 1. Houben R, Becker JC, Kappel A, et al. Constitutive activation of the Ras-Raf signaling pathway in metastatic melanoma is associated with poor prognosis. J Carcinog. 2004;3:6. doi:10.1186/1477-3163-3-6. 2. Barbour AP, Tang YH, Armour N, et al. BRAF mutation status is an independent prognostic factor for resected stage IIIB and IIIC melanoma: implications for melanoma staging and adjuvant therapy. Eur J Cancer. 2014;50(15):2668-2676.
How to Use the Know Now BRAF Testing Program
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Complete the BRAF Test Request Form (additional forms can be acquired from your Novartis Specialist)
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Submit the testing request along with your patient’s pathology report to the Enterprise Account Team
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Contact the dedicated Enterprise Account Call Center at 1-866-226-8046 for any questions you may have about the Know Now BRAF Testing Program
Send in your patient's pathology report along with the completed BRAF Test Request Form by fax (1-610-271-3881) or email (RMBXNovartisBRAF-E@questdiagnostics.com).
You will receive your patient’s test results approximately 48 hours after the Quest Central Lab (San Juan Capistrano, California) receives the following required program components:
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Completed BRAF Test Request Form
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Patient’s pathology report
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Patient’s pathology sample
The cost of the test is covered by the Know Now BRAF Testing Program, regardless of your patient’s results.
Once you know your patient's BRAF status, you can understand all the treatment options that are available for your patient with stage III or stage IV melanoma.
FAQs
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Q: What is the Know Now BRAF Testing Program?
A: The Know Now BRAF Testing Program is a collaboration between Novartis and Quest Diagnostics designed to educate you about the importance of BRAF testing for your patients with stage III or stage IV melanoma.
Q: Which diagnostic tool does Quest use to conduct a BRAF test?
A: Quest will use the THxID®-BRAF kit test to perform BRAF V600E/K mutation testing for stage III or stage IV melanoma. The THxID®-BRAF kit is a registered trademark of bioMérieux, Inc.
PATIENT ELIGIBILITY AND PAYMENT
Q: Who is eligible for the Know Now BRAF Testing Program?
A: Any patient who has stage III or stage IV melanoma.
Q: Are patients who are covered by federal, state, or local government insurance programs able to participate in the program?
A: Yes, all patients with stage III or stage IV melanoma are eligible to participate.
Q: Who will pay for the BRAF test from Quest?
A: Novartis will cover the cost for all tests. Neither you nor the patient will receive a bill. Reimbursement must not be sought from any insurance provider.
Q: Will Novartis cover the cost if the BRAF test is negative?
A: Yes, Novartis will cover the cost of the test, regardless of BRAF mutation status.
RESOURCES AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Q: Where can you find additional information about the program?
A: The Know Now BRAF Testing Program website, KnowNowBRAF.com, offers program details, downloadable BRAF Test Request Forms, and contact information for local Novartis Representatives.
ORDERING THE TEST
Q: How do you participate in the Know Now BRAF Testing Program?
A: You will need to complete and send the following items to Quest:
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BRAF Test Request Form
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Patient’s pathology report
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Patient’s pathology sample
Q: What are the requirements for the patient’s pathology sample?
A: A minimum of 5 slides at 5-μm thickness and 1 slide for hematoxylin and eosin stain at 4-μm thickness are required. Paraffin-embedded tissue containing less than 50% tumor cell will undergo microdissection.
Q: Where can you obtain the forms necessary to use the testing program with Quest?
A: The forms can be provided by the Novartis Representative or downloaded from the website: KnowNowBRAF.com.
Q: Which Quest facility will perform the test?
A: The sample testing center for the Know Now BRAF Testing Program is in San Juan Capistrano, California.
Q: How do you order the test on a sample that has already been taken and sent to the Quest Central Lab (San Juan Capistrano, California)?
A: The Quest Central Lab will request the paraffin block or 5 slides via the Quest Block SOP (Standard Operating Procedure). The sample will be sent to the testing center in San Juan Capistrano, California, for BRAF testing.
Q: On the BRAF Test Request Form, what is the “Patient ID”?
A: The Patient ID is the identification number used by your office to identify the patient. When calling regarding a request form, your office may refer to this number.
RECEIVING TEST RESULTS
Q: How soon will you receive the test results from Quest?
A: You will receive the patient’s test results approximately 48 hours after the Quest Central Lab (San Juan Capistrano, California) receives the following required program components:
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Completed BRAF Test Request Form
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Patient’s pathology report
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Patient’s pathology sample
Q: How will you receive the test results?
A: You will receive a secure fax with the test results.
Resources
Download our interactive guide to learn more about the Know Now BRAF Testing Program
See what this program has to offer
Our interactive guide provides a deeper look into the program with FAQs, helpful contact information, and more.
