Haystack MRD™ Early Experience Program
How Haystack MRD works
Haystack MRD is a next-generation minimal residual disease (MRD) test that detects ultralow levels of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to uncover residual disease after definitive surgery.
Haystack MRD is personalized for each patient. Tumor tissue and a blood sample collected at surgery are sent to Quest Diagnostics for whole-exome sequencing (WES) to identify patient-specific somatic mutations. A personalized MRD test targeting up to 50 of these mutations is then developed to detect ctDNA in a blood sample. The MRD test can then be performed whenever needed to detect residual or recurrent disease throughout the patient’s care journey.
Testing frequency
We recommend testing at 3 (+/- 1) and 6 (+/- 2) weeks following surgery to help guide adjuvant treatment decisions. However, because the Early Experience Program includes only 2 tests per patient, providers may elect to conduct a single postsurgical test at 3 weeks and use the second test for treatment response or recurrence monitoring. See the figure in this section for typical testing timepoints. The frequency of testing is left to the discretion of the provider.
Haystack MRD Baseline is the first test performed, normally ordered at or soon after definitive surgery to determine landmark MRD status. After the Baseline test is ordered, Quest Diagnostics will manage retrieval of tissue and can coordinate blood collection with the patient if in-clinic collection is not available. After Baseline results are delivered, a brief survey will need to be completed before Haystack MRD Monitoring is ordered.
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Haystack MRD Monitoring is defined as any test ordered after the Baseline test, including a second MRD test to confirm landmark MRD results or testing to monitor treatment response or recurrence. Unlike for the Baseline test, blood only (and not tumor tissue) is collected for the Monitoring test.
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Billing: our commitment to patients
Patients with testing performed as part of the Early Experience Program will not receive a bill for Haystack MRD. For testing performed outside of the Early Experience Program, we are actively working with Medicare and health insurance companies to secure coverage. Quest Diagnostics also offers supplemental financial assistance to those who are eligible. Our dedicated Patient Service Specialists are available for more information and assistance at 1.833.818.0591 or by email at patients@haystackmrd.com.
Downloadable resources
Questions? Get in touch
Contact us at providers@haystackmrd.com or call 1.410.297.1000.
