MET Amplification (NSCLC) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About MET Amplification (NSCLC) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | MET Gene Amplification Test, c-MET Amplification Test, MET Copy Number Test |
| Sample Type | FFPE tissue block (tumour tissue) |
| Fasting Required | No—sample is tumour tissue, not blood |
| Report Time | 8 days |
| Recommended For | Adults with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly those with disease progression on EGFR-targeted therapy |
| Price | Starting at ₹10,500 |
What Is a MET Amplification (NSCLC) Test?
The MET Amplification (NSCLC) test checks whether the MET gene in lung tumour cells has extra copies, a change that can drive uncontrolled cancer cell growth. Doctors order this test for patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, especially when standard targeted therapies have stopped working. The sample used is a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block taken from the tumour. It is also called the MET Gene Amplification Test or c-MET Amplification test.
What Does a MET Amplification (NSCLC) Test Measure?
This test analyses the MET gene in tumour cells using a technique called FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridisation). It measures the following:
| Parameter | What It Means |
|---|---|
| MET Gene Amplification | Detects whether extra copies of the MET gene are present in tumour cells |
| MET/CEP7 Ratio | Compares MET gene signals with chromosome 7 centromere signals; higher ratios (≥2.0) may indicate MET amplification |
| MET Copy Number | The average number of MET gene copies per tumour cell; five or more copies per cell is classified as amplification |
Why Is a MET Amplification (NSCLC) Test Done?
This test is ordered to understand the genetic profile of a lung tumour and to guide treatment decisions. Below are the key reasons a doctor may recommend it.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
These symptoms in a person already diagnosed with or suspected of having NSCLC may prompt further molecular testing, including the MET Amplification (NSCLC) test:
- Persistent cough that does not improve
- Shortness of breath during normal activity
- Chest pain or tightness
- Haemoptysis (coughing up blood)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue without a clear cause
- Hoarseness or voice changes
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The test helps identify specific molecular changes in NSCLC tumours. These include:
- De novo (primary) MET amplification, present at initial diagnosis as a primary driver of tumour growth, occurring in approximately 1-5% of NSCLC cases
- Acquired (secondary) MET amplification, which develops as a resistance mechanism in approximately 5-20% of patients previously treated with EGFR-targeted therapy
- Eligibility for MET-targeted therapies based on amplification status
MET Amplification (NSCLC) Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
MET amplification can develop as the cancer adapts to EGFR inhibitor treatment, making long-term disease control difficult. When a patient's cancer progresses on targeted therapy, repeating this test can reveal whether MET amplification has emerged as a resistance mechanism. Results help the oncology team plan the next step in treatment.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Because this test uses tumour tissue rather than a blood sample, preparation is different from routine blood tests. Here is what patients and their care teams need to know.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. The sample is a tumour tissue block, so dietary restrictions do not apply.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following steps help ensure the sample is suitable for testing:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and any prior cancer treatments, as this is required for the test.
- A freshly obtained biopsy is preferred, but archival FFPE tissue blocks from an earlier biopsy are also acceptable.
- Inform the laboratory about any prior biopsies or cancer treatments you have received.
Step-by-Step Procedure
The following steps describe how the tissue sample is collected and processed:
- A tumour tissue sample is obtained through a biopsy—this may be a CT-guided biopsy, bronchoscopy, or surgical resection—or from an existing archival FFPE tissue block.
- The pathology team prepares thin sections (1 to 5 micrometres thick) from the FFPE block.
- FISH probes with fluorescent labels are applied to the tissue sections. These probes attach to specific DNA sequences and allow the laboratory to count MET gene copies.
- A trained laboratory professional evaluates fluorescent signals in representative tumour cell nuclei according to validated laboratory protocols.
- The MET/CEP7 ratio and mean MET copy number per cell are calculated from the signal counts.
- The tissue block is stored at ambient temperature (18 to 28°C) during transit to the laboratory, and the final report is issued within 8 days.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
The following factors may affect the reliability of test results:
- Low tumour cell content in the sample
- Poor tissue fixation or degraded sample quality
- Sample age or inadequate processing during archival storage
- Limited tissue material available for analysis
- Laboratory expertise and the specific testing method used
Understanding Your MET Amplification (NSCLC) Test Results
Results from the MET Amplification (NSCLC) test are interpreted alongside clinical history, imaging findings, and prior treatment records. The table below shows the standard reference criteria.
| Parameter | Result Category | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| MET/CEP7 Ratio | Negative | Less than 2.0 |
| MET/CEP7 Ratio | Amplified (Positive) | 2.0 or above |
| MET Copy Number | Negative | Less than 4 copies per cell |
| MET Copy Number | Gain (Borderline) | 4 to less than 5 copies per cell |
| MET Copy Number | Amplified (Positive) | 5 or more copies per cell |
| MET/CEP7 Ratio/Gene Copy Number (GCN) | High-Level Amplification | MET/CEP7 Ratio ≥2.0 and MET Copy Number ≥10.0 |
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 factors can affect how results should be read:
- FISH and next-generation sequencing (NGS) assess MET amplification using different methodologies. While results often show good agreement in cases of high-level amplification, discrepancies may occur in borderline or low-level amplification cases.
- Some tissue samples cannot be analysed by FISH due to poor fluorescence signal quality, limited material, or absence of suitable FFPE tissue.
- There is currently no single agreed-upon cutoff across all clinical studies to define MET amplification. Your oncologist will consider the ratio and copy number together.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
For patients undergoing NSCLC treatment, the following general steps support ongoing monitoring and overall wellbeing:
- Follow your oncologist's schedule for repeat molecular testing, particularly if your cancer progresses on current therapy.
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments so that disease progression or emerging resistance mechanisms can be detected early and managed appropriately.
- If you smoke, quitting is strongly recommended, as continued smoking may reduce treatment effectiveness and increase the risk of complications.
Lupin Diagnostics MET Amplification (NSCLC) Test Price
The MET Amplification (NSCLC) test price starts at ₹10,500 at Lupin Diagnostics. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre; home collection is not available for this test, as it uses an FFPE tissue block rather than a blood or urine sample.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 10500 |
| CHENNAI | 10500 |
| HYDERABAD | 10500 |
| KOLKATA | 10500 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 10500 |
| PUNE | 10500 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Here is how to book your MET Amplification (NSCLC) test online and schedule your visit:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time for sample submission.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 8 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
The MET gene normally helps control cell growth. When extra copies of this gene appear in tumour cells, it can cause cancer cells to multiply without control. The MET Amplification (NSCLC) test helps doctors identify patients whose tumours carry this change so that appropriate targeted therapy can be considered.
A tumour tissue sample is required, typically in the form of a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block. This may come from a recent biopsy or an archival block from an earlier procedure.
MET amplification has been reported in approximately 1–5% of newly diagnosed NSCLC cases and in a higher proportion of tumours that develop resistance to EGFR-targeted therapy.
At Lupin Diagnostics, results are available within 8 days. Turnaround time depends on tissue quality and the volume of samples being processed at the laboratory.
Guidelines suggest that MET testing is best performed as part of broad molecular profiling at initial diagnosis, alongside other key markers such as EGFR, ALK, and ROS1. It should also be repeated if the cancer progresses on EGFR-targeted treatment to check whether MET amplification has developed as a resistance mechanism.
A positive result means MET amplification has been detected in the tumour. Your oncologist will use this information to assess whether MET-targeted therapy is appropriate for your case. Treatment decisions are always based on your full clinical picture, not on a single test result alone.
Yes. The test may be repeated when disease progression occurs, since the molecular profile of a tumour can change over time—particularly after targeted therapy. Your oncologist will advise on when repeat testing is needed based on your treatment response.
MET Amplification (NSCLC) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
