Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel Test
About Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | ctDNA 52 Gene Panel, Circulating Tumour DNA Panel, 52-Gene Liquid Biopsy NGS Panel |
| Sample Type | Peripheral blood (collected in specialised Streck tubes) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 30 days |
| Recommended For | Adults with suspected or confirmed solid tumours; both genders |
| Price | Starting at ₹57,600 |
What Is a Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel Test?
The Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel test is an advanced blood-based cancer genomics test. It uses Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to detect genetic changes in cancer cells by analysing tiny fragments of tumour DNA circulating in the bloodstream. A peripheral blood sample is collected in a specialised Streck tube, making it a far less invasive alternative to surgical tissue biopsy. Doctors prescribe this test to identify actionable mutations, monitor treatment response, and detect signs of disease progression.
What Does a Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel Test Measure?
This test analyses circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), which is genetic material shed by cancer cells into the blood. It looks for several types of genetic changes across 52 cancer-related genes.
The following alterations are assessed:
- Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs): small point mutations in individual DNA letters that can activate cancer genes
- Short insertions and deletions (indels): small additions or removals of DNA letters within a gene
- Gene fusions: abnormal joining of two separate genes that can drive uncontrolled cell growth
- Copy number variants (CNVs): abnormal increases or decreases in the number of copies of a gene segment
- Gene rearrangements: structural changes in chromosomes that alter how genes function
The 52 genes examined in this panel include AKT1, FGFR2, MAP2K2, SMO, ALK, BRAF, ERG, ETV1, FGFR1, FGFR3, MET, NTRK1, NTRK3, RET, ROS1, CCND1, CCND2, CCND3, CDK4, CDK6, EGFR, ERBB2, MYC, APC, FBXW7, PTEN, and TP53, among others.
Why Is a Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel Test Done?
Oncologists order this test for several reasons, including identifying targets for therapy, detecting resistance mutations, and assessing whether treatment is working.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms or clinical situations may prompt a doctor to request this test:
- Unexplained and persistent weight loss
- Ongoing fatigue that does not improve with rest
- A confirmed advanced cancer diagnosis requiring treatment planning
- Lack of response to current cancer therapy
- Signs of disease progression or spread to other organs (metastases)
- Situations where a tissue biopsy is not possible due to tumour location or overall health
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test can help identify actionable genetic mutations across a range of solid tumours, including:
- Lung cancer (non-small cell and small cell types)
- Breast cancer (including hormone receptor-positive and HER2-positive subtypes)
- Colorectal cancer
- Gastric (stomach) cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Other solid tumours with targetable genetic alterations
Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
This test plays an important role in ongoing cancer management. It can track how well a treatment is working, detect emerging resistance mutations, and provide a real-time picture of how the tumour is evolving. Patients on targeted cancer therapy may undergo serial testing, typically every two to three months during active treatment or when disease progression is suspected.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed for this test. The process is straightforward and involves a standard blood draw.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required before this test. You may eat and drink normally before your appointment.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
A few simple steps will help ensure a smooth collection and accurate results:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, imaging reports, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Inform the phlebotomist or doctor about all medications you are taking, especially blood thinners (anticoagulants)
- Drink adequate water before your appointment to make blood collection easier
- Bring any previous biopsy reports or scan results to assist with interpretation
Step-by-Step Procedure
Here is what you can expect during sample collection:
- A trained phlebotomist will clean the venepuncture site (usually the inner elbow) with an antiseptic solution.
- Approximately 10 ml of peripheral blood is drawn into a specialised Streck tube, which preserves the integrity of cell-free DNA in the sample.
- The tubes are gently inverted several times to mix the blood with the preservative.
- The sample is labelled and stored at 2 to 8°C before dispatch.
- The sample is transported to the laboratory under refrigerated conditions for processing.
- In the laboratory, circulating cell-free DNA is extracted, followed by library preparation, targeted enrichment using hybridisation, and NGS analysis across the 52 genes.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence the reliability of results:
- Cancer stage: early-stage tumours shed very little ctDNA, which can reduce detection sensitivity
- Tumour burden: larger tumours typically release more DNA into the bloodstream
- Time since last treatment: recent chemotherapy may temporarily lower ctDNA levels
- Sample handling and transport temperature: improper storage can degrade cell-free DNA
- Clonal haematopoiesis: age-related mutations in blood cells (in genes like TP53 or KRAS) can occasionally be mistaken for tumour-derived signals
Understanding Your Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel Test Results
Results from this test should always be reviewed with a qualified oncologist. Because this test analyses complex genetic information, interpretation depends heavily on clinical context.
| Parameter | Expected Finding | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pathogenic variants | Not detected | No clinically significant cancer-causing mutations found |
| Variant Allele Frequency (VAF) | Reported as a percentage | Shows the proportion of mutant DNA within total cell-free DNA |
| ctDNA Tumour Fraction | Variable | Higher values suggest greater tumour-derived DNA; values below 1% may indicate early-stage disease or low tumour shedding |
Disclaimer: These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain situations can affect how results are interpreted:
- Low tumour burden: early-stage cancers shed minimal ctDNA, which may lead to a false-negative result even when cancer is present
- Recent chemotherapy: treatment can temporarily suppress ctDNA levels, making it harder to detect residual disease
- Clonal haematopoiesis: blood cell mutations that occur with age may produce signals that resemble tumour-derived mutations and require careful clinical review
- Non-cancer conditions: some benign disease states can occasionally produce signals that need to be distinguished from true tumour findings
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
While this test does not have a "normal range" in the traditional sense, the following general wellness steps support overall health during cancer care:
- Follow your oncologist's schedule for serial monitoring to track treatment response over time
- Eat a balanced diet and stay physically active as permitted by your care team
- Attend all scheduled oncology follow-up appointments to ensure timely review of results
Lupin Diagnostics Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel Test Price and Home Collection
The Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹57,600, and home collection is available for this test across select cities.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | 57600 |
| Pune | 57600 |
| Bangalore | 57600 |
| Chennai | 57600 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Booking the Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel test online is straightforward:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Home collection for the Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel test is available across multiple cities through Lupin Diagnostics. A certified phlebotomist will visit your home to collect the peripheral blood sample in the required Streck tube. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories, and reports are delivered digitally for convenient access.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is an advanced blood test that uses NGS technology to detect genetic mutations in cancer cells. The test analyses tiny fragments of tumour DNA circulating in the blood across 52 cancer-related genes. It provides valuable information about cancer drivers and treatment targets without the need for a surgical procedure.
A tissue biopsy involves surgically removing a piece of tumour, which can be uncomfortable and sometimes not feasible. The Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel test procedure requires only a standard blood draw, making it far less invasive. It also allows repeated testing over time to track how the cancer is changing.
This test is typically recommended for adults with advanced solid tumours such as lung, breast, colorectal, or gastric cancers. It is also suitable for patients who cannot undergo a tissue biopsy due to tumour location or overall health and for those whose treatment response needs to be monitored.
Not necessarily. A negative result may mean no targetable mutations were detected, or it may reflect a false negative due to very low levels of ctDNA in the blood. Negative results should always be considered alongside imaging findings, clinical symptoms, and the oncologist's overall assessment.
The report for the Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel test is typically available within 30 days. This accounts for the complex laboratory processing involved in NGS-based analysis, including DNA extraction, library preparation, sequencing, and bioinformatics review.
The test requires only a standard venepuncture, similar to any routine blood test. You may feel a brief sting when the needle is inserted, but the procedure is quick and causes minimal discomfort. No special recovery time is needed after the blood draw.
The test can detect mutations at very low levels, with a detection limit for small mutations of approximately 0.1% to 2.0% depending on the amount of cell-free DNA in the sample. Accuracy tends to be higher in patients with advanced disease and greater tumour burden. An oncologist should always interpret results in the context of the full clinical picture.
Liquid Biopsy 52 Gene Panel Test
