Immune-Frame

Purpose of the test

This test focuses on the status of a patient’s immune system. The test uses specific cellular markers, and the production of proteins called cytokines, to detect the type or types of cells that are responsible for switching a patient’s immune system on and off.

Immune-Frame uses two different tests, or assays. The ELISA assay is used to detect cytokines produced by specific cells, and flow cytometry is used to measure specific markers on blood cells in the peripheral vascular system.

Both assays are compared to a control sample and the results are given according to the format in the following table.

Useful information

The Immune-Frame test requires 15-25 ml of whole (peripheral) blood, to be sent in a liquid preservative in a 50ml volume Falcon tube.

Support and training

RGCC provides phone and online support on how to conduct the test and interpret the results. We also provide regular training courses for clinicians in order to familiarise them with the tests.

RGCC will provide you with a transportation container with the following:

1. Two vials for blood samples (note you only need one, another is provided in case)
2. A cooling bag containing an ice pack
3. A medical form
4. Paperwork required to transport biological samples.

The blood sample vials should be stored in the fridge. The ice pack should be kept in a freezer for at least 24 hours before it is used.

Blood samples for the Immune-Frame test requires 15-25 ml of venous blood. Please discard the first 5ml of blood collected, to reduce the likelihood of contamination.

As soon as the blood sample is taken, place it in the vial, then close the top and roll it gently. Place the vial inside the transportation container. Please ensure that the medical form is completed, signed by a doctor and the patient and enclosed in the package.

How to send your samples to RGCC

Step 1 – Arranging courier collection

Please give us 1-2 days’ notice of the shipment date in order to arrange collection. We will need the following details to arrange collection: your full postal address, including postal or zip code, a contact telephone number and a named contact to pass to the courier.

We usually suggest you do these tests in the morning to allow time for the courier to collect the samples. Please bear in mind that the courier will contact you to inform you of the time of their last daily collection.

The courier we use is DHL Express. If you do not wish to use our courier, please contact us for our courier account number. You will need to supply this to the courier company, so the shipping fees can be charged to RGCC.

Step 2 – Complete paperwork

Complete all the necessary courier documents:

1. A UN3373 biological substance category B commercial invoice (non-European countries only);
2. Enter the description of the shipment as ‘biological substance category B, UN3373’, and record the total value of the shipment as US$1;
3. Please be sure that the label ‘UN3373 diagnostic specimen’ is on the outer wall of the container. These labels are included in the transportation container provided by RGCC;
4. Once the package has been collected by a courier, please email us to inform us that your sample is on its way.

The paperwork will be sent to you once your transportation container is dispatched.

This test offers information about:

• How cachexia develops
• Whether dendritic cells (DCs) are present in a sample and if they are stimulated against the cancer cells
• Whether specific humoral or cellular immunity has developed
• Whether non-specific cellular immunity has developed
• Whether an immunosuppresive mechanism (or T-regs) is present