My ONC drew blood for HLA typing on Dec. 22. I guess it had to go to OHSU for the typing. Every week I call to get the result and am told that it is not back yet. Does it really take that long?
Mickey

When my onc took my blood it took2 maybe 3 weeks. I think it depends on the lab they use. I know they had to send away for the test.

It took 2-3 weeks for my results to come back also. Possibly your's have been slowed down a bit by the holidays?

What is HLA typing and what will it show.
Janet M

Janet, I don't really understand it myself, but in broad terms it's an easily identifiable marker in the blood that can be tracked to measure immune response. Not everyone is positive for HLA2, and for this particular trial it's a prerequisite as it's the way the researchers will measure response to the vaccine. HLA typing is used in organ transplants also...Here's a link to a more detailed explanation:

http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual/sec...ter149/149b.jsp

Love, Lolly