Foundation Medicine
Foundation Medicine tests tumor tissue or blood for gene changes that can point to targeted drugs, immunotherapy or clinical trials. Your doctor orders it, and the report goes to your care team.
- Tests
- FoundationOne CDx (tumor tissue) and FoundationOne Liquid CDx (blood) each cover 324 genes. Other tests cover blood cancers, RNA fusions, IHC and recurrence monitoring.[2][3][4]
- Samples
- Tumor tissue from a biopsy or surgery, or blood, depending on the test your care team orders.[2]
- FDA status
- FoundationOne CDx and FoundationOne Liquid CDx are FDA-approved companion diagnostics, including for ALK-positive lung cancer drugs.[7][3]
Tests
Samples
FDA status
Ordering
CostFoundation Medicine tests tumor tissue or blood for gene changes that can point to a targeted drug, immunotherapy or a trial. Your doctor orders it, and the report goes to your care team.
What they do
- FoundationOne CDx tests biopsy tissue: 324 genes, plus MSI and TMB. It's FDA-approved for all solid tumors.
- FoundationOne Liquid CDx tests tumor DNA from two tubes of blood.
- Others: Heme for blood cancers, RNA for fusions, IHC protein tests, and MRD to watch for recurrence.
Both CDx tests are FDA companion diagnostics for many targeted drugs, including several for ALK-positive lung cancer, my cancer type.
Who it's for
People with solid tumors, especially advanced ones, or blood cancers, who are choosing a treatment.
How to start
A doctor has to order it. Ask yours which test fits, and whether to use tissue or blood. Client Services can send you a copy of your report.
Cost and insurance
As of October 2026, Foundation Medicine says 86% of its patients owe $0. Its FoundationAccess team checks benefits and handles prior authorization and appeals.
- Assistance: if you qualify, you pay no more than $100 in your lifetime. Fee-for-service Medicaid patients qualify automatically.
- Self-pay (U.S.): $3,500 for FoundationOne CDx, Liquid CDx or Heme. $2,919.60 for RNA. $125 per IHC test.
- Failed test: no charge.
If you have insurance and choose self-pay, you can't get assistance.
Questions I would ask
- Tissue, blood, or both?
- Is there enough tissue, or would I need a new biopsy?
- Would RNA testing for fusions help?
- What will I owe, and should I apply for assistance first?
- Can I get the full report and raw data?
Similar companies on this site
Caris and BostonGene also profile tumor DNA and RNA. Guardant Health is best known for blood tests. More in Get the right tumor testing and Get your reports, raw data and sample details.
Contacts
- Website: foundationmedicine.com/patient
- Billing and coverage: Billing and financial assistance
- Financial assistance: Financial support
- Phone: 888-988-3639 (Client Services, Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET)
- Email: client.services@foundationmedicine.com
