Precision oncology · London
Tumour molecular profiling - private in London.
Comprehensive genomic profiling of your tumour, arranged by a clinician. FoundationOne CDx and Liquid, Guardant360, Signatera, Tempus and Caris - matched to the question your oncologist is actually trying to answer.
What it is
Comprehensive genomic profiling, in plain English.
Sequencing hundreds of cancer-relevant genes in one report - not a single hotspot at a time.
Tumour molecular profiling, also called comprehensive genomic profiling or CGP, sequences the DNA and often the RNA of your tumour to identify actionable mutations, gene fusions, copy number changes and broader signatures that predict response to targeted therapy or immunotherapy. Reports capture single nucleotide variants, insertions, deletions, rearrangements, tumour mutational burden or TMB, microsatellite instability or MSI, and homologous recombination deficiency or HRD.
The output is a curated report that pairs each finding with the licensed drugs it opens up, the resistance mutations it flags, and the clinical trials that specifically recruit for that genotype. In modern oncology practice the report is discussed at a molecular tumour board, which is a multidisciplinary meeting of oncologists, pathologists, clinical geneticists and pharmacists who translate the genomics into a treatment recommendation.
Assays available in the UK
The panels your oncologist actually orders.
The right assay depends on tumour type, tissue availability and the clinical question. We match each patient to the platform their oncology team recommends.
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FoundationOne CDx
FDA-approved tissue assay covering 324 genes. Reports single nucleotide variants, insertions, deletions, copy number alterations, select rearrangements, TMB and MSI.
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FoundationOne Liquid CDx
ctDNA blood test covering 324 genes. Useful when tissue is insufficient or when a repeat biopsy is not clinically desirable.
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Guardant360 CDx
74-gene ctDNA panel with rapid turnaround. Widely used for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and other advanced solid tumours.
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Signatera (personalised MRD)
Bespoke ctDNA assay built from your tumour sequence, then tracked serially in blood to detect minimal residual disease and early recurrence.
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Tempus xT
648-gene tumour and normal-matched DNA panel with RNA sequencing for fusion detection. Includes clinical trial matching.
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Caris Molecular Intelligence
Whole exome and whole transcriptome sequencing with immunohistochemistry, MSI and TMB reporting. Strong evidence base in rare and unknown-primary tumours.
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NHS Genomic Medicine Service
Whole Genome Sequencing via the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (previously 100,000 Genomes / Genomics England) for eligible cancers, in select NHS pathways.
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Archer FusionPlex and targeted panels
RNA-based fusion panels used to confirm NTRK, RET, ROS1, ALK and FGFR rearrangements where a broader panel is equivocal.
When to use it
The clinical situations where profiling changes the plan.
Profiling is highest-yield in advanced disease, in rare tumours, and in cancers where targeted therapy is now standard.
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Metastatic or recurrent solid tumour
Where a standard targeted option has failed, or where none has been established for the histology.
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Cancer of unknown primary
Broad profiling can identify a tissue of origin signature and reveal actionable mutations.
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Rare cancers
Cholangiocarcinoma, sarcoma, thymic tumours, salivary and paediatric malignancies where trial access matters most.
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Clinical trial screening
Many phase I/II trials require a specific molecular signature. Profiling opens the door.
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Biliary tract, thyroid and prostate
FGFR2, RET and BRCA findings routinely change management in these tumours.
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Progression on targeted therapy
Repeat ctDNA profiling identifies resistance mechanisms such as EGFR T790M or MET amplification.
Actionable findings
The alterations that open a licensed drug or a trial.
A non-exhaustive list of the results oncology teams most often act on.
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EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KRAS G12C, MET, RET
Non-small-cell lung cancer. Directs targeted therapy including osimertinib, alectinib, sotorasib, capmatinib and selpercatinib.
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BRAF V600E
Melanoma, colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer, hairy cell leukaemia. Directs dabrafenib plus trametinib and encorafenib combinations.
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HER2 amplification and mutation
Breast, gastric, colorectal, lung. Directs trastuzumab, pertuzumab and antibody-drug conjugates such as trastuzumab deruxtecan.
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BRCA1, BRCA2 and wider HRD
Ovarian, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer. Directs PARP inhibitors including olaparib, niraparib and rucaparib.
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MSI-high, dMMR, high TMB
Any solid tumour. Directs immune checkpoint inhibitors including pembrolizumab and dostarlimab under tumour-agnostic licences.
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NTRK, RET, FGFR2/3 fusions
Tumour-agnostic. Directs larotrectinib, entrectinib, selpercatinib, pemigatinib and futibatinib.
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IDH1, IDH2
Cholangiocarcinoma, glioma, acute myeloid leukaemia. Directs ivosidenib and enasidenib.
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PIK3CA, ESR1, AKT1
Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Directs alpelisib, capivasertib and elacestrant.
Indicative pricing
Honest ranges, all in.
Fees vary by laboratory, whether tissue processing is included, and whether normal-DNA subtraction is required. Insurance often covers the test when linked to a treatment decision.
| Assay | Indicative fee | Sample | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| FoundationOne CDx (tissue, 324 genes) | £3,500–£4,800 | Tissue block required | 10–14 working days |
| FoundationOne Liquid CDx (ctDNA, 324 genes) | £2,800–£3,800 | Blood draw | 7–10 working days |
| Guardant360 CDx (ctDNA, 74 genes) | £2,500–£3,500 | Blood draw | 5–10 working days |
| Signatera personalised MRD - setup | £2,200 | Tissue + blood | 4–6 weeks initial |
| Signatera personalised MRD - follow-up test | £850 per draw | Blood draw | 7–10 working days |
| Tempus xT (DNA 648 genes + RNA) | £3,200–£4,500 | Tissue + normal | 10–14 working days |
| Caris Molecular Intelligence (WES/WTS) | £3,800–£5,200 | Tissue block | 14–21 working days |
Turnaround
From sample to signed report.
Most oncology teams have a treatment decision ready within two to three weeks of sending the sample.
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Tissue panels
FoundationOne CDx and Tempus xT typically return in 10 to 14 working days from receipt of a good-quality FFPE block. Caris WES/WTS is closer to three weeks.
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ctDNA panels
Guardant360 and FoundationOne Liquid return in 5 to 10 working days from the blood draw. Fastest route when tissue is exhausted or a rapid decision is needed.
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Molecular tumour board
Reports include curated therapy and trial recommendations. Where useful, we arrange a formal MTB review at the Royal Marsden, UCLH or a major private centre.
Where it happens
Sample in London, sequenced abroad.
The wet lab is usually in the United States. The clinical care - collection, interpretation, prescription - stays with a London oncology team.
Reference laboratories
Samples are processed at Foundation Medicine in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Guardant Health in Redwood City, California, Tempus in Chicago, and Caris Life Sciences in Phoenix, Arizona. All are CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited, and FoundationOne CDx and Guardant360 CDx additionally carry FDA approval as companion diagnostics.
UK oncology teams that order and interpret
Sample collection and clinical interpretation are arranged by oncology teams at Royal Marsden Private, UCLH Private, The Christie Private Care, HCA London Bridge and The Harley Street Clinic, Bupa Cromwell Hospital, Cleveland Clinic London and OneWelbeck Digestive Health, among others.
Related pages
The pathway around the test.
Profiling rarely stands alone. These are the tests and treatments that most often sit either side of it.
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ctDNA monitoring
Serial blood-based tracking of residual disease and treatment response.
Learn more -
Immunotherapy infusion clinic
Where MSI-high, dMMR and high-TMB findings translate into checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
Learn more -
Antibody-drug conjugate infusion
HER2 and TROP2-directed ADCs including trastuzumab deruxtecan and sacituzumab govitecan.
Learn more -
CAR-T cell therapy
Cellular therapy where molecular characterisation guides eligibility.
Learn more -
Bispecific antibody therapy
Emerging bispecifics for haematological and solid tumours.
Learn more -
Prostate cancer
BRCA and HRD findings that direct PARP inhibitor therapy.
Learn more -
Breast cancer
PIK3CA, ESR1, HER2 and BRCA in the modern breast oncology pathway.
Learn more
Frequently asked
The questions oncologists get asked about profiling.
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How often does molecular profiling change treatment?
Across large real-world series, comprehensive genomic profiling identifies a directly actionable alteration in roughly 30 to 50 percent of advanced solid tumours, and expands clinical trial options in a further 20 to 30 percent. Yield is highest in lung, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal and unknown primary cancers.
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Should I have tissue profiling or blood-based ctDNA?
Tissue remains the reference standard when a recent block is available and the tumour burden is modest. ctDNA is preferred when a repeat biopsy is impractical, when disease is widespread, when a rapid result is needed, or to track resistance on treatment. Many oncology teams run both in parallel, since each finds mutations the other can miss.
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Will private insurance cover the test?
Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Cigna and WPA will often fund FoundationOne CDx or Guardant360 with a written justification from the treating consultant, particularly where the result will change treatment or unlock a licensed drug. Coverage of Signatera, Tempus and Caris varies by policy. Pre-authorisation is essential.
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Can I repeat the test later?
Yes. Serial ctDNA is central to modern practice - it detects new resistance mutations and, in the case of Signatera, tracks minimal residual disease every four to twelve weeks. A repeat tissue biopsy is typically reserved for a clear change in disease behaviour.
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Is comprehensive profiling available on the NHS?
The NHS Genomic Medicine Service offers Whole Genome Sequencing for eligible cancers, and smaller targeted panels are standard for lung, colorectal, breast, melanoma, ovarian and glioma. Broader commercial panels such as FoundationOne are only NHS-funded in specific pathways, which is why many patients arrange them privately.
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How does profiling help with clinical trial matching?
Reports from Foundation Medicine, Tempus and Caris include a curated list of trials open in Europe and the UK for which your tumour genotype makes you eligible. Your oncologist, together with a molecular tumour board, uses this to prioritise options at the Royal Marsden, UCLH, the Christie and the major HCA and Cleveland Clinic London units.
Arrange tumour molecular profiling
A clinician-led route to the right assay - and the right oncology team to act on it.
Tell us the tumour type, where you are in treatment, and what your oncologist is trying to decide. We come back within one working day with the recommended panel, a firm quote and a consultant to interpret it.