Neuronal Antibody Profile (Paraneoplastic Syndrome Profile) Test
About Neuronal Antibody Profile (Paraneoplastic Syndrome Profile) Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Paraneoplastic Antibody Panel, Onconeural Antibody Panel, Antineuronal Nuclear Antibody (ANNA) Panel, Anti-Neuronal Antibody Profile, Paraneoplastic Autoantibody Evaluation |
| Sample Type | Venous blood (serum) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 12 to 19 days |
| Recommended For | Adults of all genders, particularly those with unexplained neurological symptoms or known cancer risk factors |
| Price | Starting at ₹10,000 |
What Is a Neuronal Antibody Profile Paraneoplastic Syndrome Profile Test?
The neuronal antibody profile test checks your blood for autoantibodies, proteins your immune system produces that mistakenly attack nerve cells. Doctors order this test when a patient shows unexplained neurological symptoms that may be linked to an underlying tumour or autoimmune condition. It is also called the Paraneoplastic Antibody Panel or the Onconeural Antibody Panel. A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm is used for the analysis.
What Does a Neuronal Antibody Profile Paraneoplastic Syndrome Profile Test Measure?
This panel screens for 12 specific autoantibodies, each associated with distinct neurological conditions and tumour types. Here is a summary of what each antibody indicates:
| Antibody | Role Of The Antibody |
|---|---|
| ANNA-1 (Anti-Hu) | It targets proteins in the core (nucleus) of nerve cells. |
| ANNA-2 (Anti-Ri) | Targets nerve cells and is often triggered by certain cancers. |
| PCA-1 (Anti-Yo) | Attacks Purkinje cells, which are vital nerve cells in the cerebellum (the brain's movement control centre). |
| CV2 (CRMP5) | Targets a protein involved in nerve cell development and communication. |
| Amphiphysin | Disrupts the machinery that nerve cells use to communicate with each other. |
| GAD65 | Attacks an enzyme needed to make a calming chemical in the brain. |
| SOX-1 (AGNA-1) | Attacks proteins in the nuclei of early-stage nerve cells. |
| Ma2/Ta (PNMA2) | Targets proteins in the brain's emotional and deep survival centres. |
| Recoverin | Attacks a protein in the retina of the eye. |
| Tr (DNER) | Targets specialised nerve cells in the balance control centre of the brain. |
| Zic4 | Attacks specific proteins inside the cells of the cerebellum (balance centre). |
| Titin | Attacks a massive protein responsible for muscle elasticity and contraction. |
Why Is a Neuronal Antibody Profile Paraneoplastic Syndrome Profile Test Done?
This is a specialised test ordered by a neurologist or physician when standard investigations have not explained a patient's symptoms.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may request the paraneoplastic autoantibody evaluation when the following symptoms are present without a clear cause:
- Sudden loss of balance or coordination (ataxia)
- Confusion, memory loss, or personality changes
- Progressive numbness or weakness in the hands and feet (neuropathy)
- Involuntary eye movements (opsoclonus) or body jerks (myoclonus)
- Extreme muscle weakness, including difficulty breathing
- Double vision
- Psychiatric disturbances such as anxiety or psychosis
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The ANNA panel helps identify a range of rare neurological and cancer-related conditions. The following are among them:
- Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) caused by immune reactions to tumours
- Limbic encephalitis (brain inflammation affecting memory and emotion)
- Cerebellar degeneration (progressive loss of coordination)
- Sensory neuronopathy (nerve damage causing numbness and tingling)
- Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (autoimmune neuromuscular disorder)
- Stiff-person syndrome (muscle rigidity and spasms)
- Underlying cancers include SCLC, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, thymoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed for this test. The following sections outline what to keep in mind before and during sample collection.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. You can eat, drink, and carry on your normal routine before the test.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Keep the following points in mind ahead of your appointment:
- Inform your doctor about all medications, supplements, and treatments you are currently taking
- If you have received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) or are on immunosuppressive therapy, let your doctor know before the test is ordered
- Avoid this test if you have recently been given a radioisotope (a substance used in certain scans or treatments), as it can interfere with results
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, as this may affect how results are interpreted
- For the most accurate results, blood is ideally collected before starting any immunosuppressive medication
Step-by-Step Procedure
Here is what happens during sample collection:
- A trained phlebotomist (blood collection specialist) wraps an elastic band around your upper arm to make the veins more visible.
- You will be asked to make a fist to help fill the veins with blood.
- The skin over the selected vein is cleaned with an antiseptic.
- A fine needle is inserted into the vein, and blood is drawn into a special collection tube called a Vacutainer.
- The elastic band is removed, gentle pressure is applied to stop any bleeding, and a small bandage is placed over the site.
- The sample is dispatched to a specialised laboratory, where it is tested using immunofluorescence (a technique using fluorescent markers to detect antibodies) and immunoblot (a confirmatory protein detection method).
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence the reliability of your results:
- IVIg treatment before sample collection can cause a false-positive result
- Immunosuppressive treatments, including plasma exchange, may lead to a false-negative result
- Recent exposure to radioisotopes may interfere with the assay
- Concurrent autoimmune conditions may complicate interpretation
- In some conditions affecting the central nervous system, antibody levels may be higher in spinal fluid than in blood, which means a blood test alone may occasionally return a negative result
Understanding Your Neuronal Antibody Profile Paraneoplastic Syndrome Profile Test Results
Results from the PNS autoantibody evaluation should always be reviewed with a specialist, as interpretation depends on your clinical history, imaging findings, and overall health picture.
| Parameter | Normal Result | Positive Result |
|---|---|---|
| All antibodies in the panel | Negative (not detected) | Strong positive, positive, or borderline for one or more antibodies |
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.
A negative result means none of the tested autoantibodies was detected. In healthy individuals, antibodies targeting onconeural proteins are not normally present.
A positive result (any antibody detected) carries an 80% to 90% predictive value for a specific type of cancer and warrants further investigation. In approximately 60% of patients with paraneoplastic neurological syndromes, neurological symptoms appear before a cancer diagnosis is made.
A negative result does not fully exclude a paraneoplastic syndrome or an underlying cancer, as not all patients with these conditions produce detectable antibodies.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain medical situations can affect how results are interpreted:
- Patients who have received IVIg therapy before the test may show a false-positive result. Those on plasma exchange or other immunosuppressive treatments may show a false-negative result.
- Recent radioisotope administration (for nuclear medicine scans or therapy) can interfere with the assay and yield unreliable results.
- For conditions affecting the central nervous system, antibody levels are sometimes higher in cerebrospinal fluid than in serum. In these cases, a serum sample alone may not be sufficient, and a cerebrospinal fluid sample may be needed.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
Because this test is diagnostic rather than a routine wellness check, lifestyle changes cannot directly alter autoantibody levels. However, a few general points are worth keeping in mind:
- If you have persistent, unexplained neurological symptoms, prompt medical evaluation is the most important step
- Early investigation into an underlying cause, including cancer, generally supports better health outcomes
- Attend all follow-up appointments your doctor recommends after receiving your results
Lupin Diagnostics Neuronal Antibody Profile Paraneoplastic Syndrome Profile Test Price and Home Collection
The neuronal antibody profile test is available at Lupin Diagnostics from approximately ₹10,000, with home sample collection available across major Indian cities.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | ₹10,000 |
| Delhi/NCR | ₹10,000 |
| Bangalore | ₹10,000 |
| Hyderabad | ₹10,000 |
| Chennai | ₹10,000 |
| Kolkata | ₹10,000 |
| Pune | ₹10,000 |
| Ahmedabad | ₹10,000 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- 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
Lupin Diagnostics offers home sample collection for the onconeural antibody panel across cities throughout India. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by trained professionals. Your digital report will be delivered securely via email or WhatsApp once ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
A paraneoplastic syndrome is a condition that develops alongside a tumour. The tumour may release substances that interfere with normal body function, or the immune system's attempt to attack the tumour may inadvertently damage healthy nerve cells. These syndromes are rare and can affect the nervous system, muscles, and other organs.
Your doctor may request this test if you have unexplained neurological symptoms, such as confusion, memory loss, loss of balance, or muscle weakness, particularly when an underlying cancer or autoimmune condition is suspected. It helps identify the likely cause and guides further investigation.
No fasting is required before the anti-neuronal antibody profile test. You can eat, drink, and take your regular medications as usual, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Due to the specialised laboratory techniques involved, the turnaround time for this test is typically 12 to 19 days. Your report will be sent to you digitally once it is ready.
A positive result from the onconeural antibody panel is strongly predictive of an associated cancer, with up to 90% predictive accuracy for a specific tumour type. However, it is not a direct cancer diagnosis. Further imaging studies and specialist evaluation are needed to confirm the presence and localise any underlying malignancy.
A negative result does not completely rule out a paraneoplastic syndrome or an underlying cancer. Some patients do not produce detectable levels of autoantibodies. Your doctor will consider your test results alongside your symptoms, imaging findings, and clinical history to reach a diagnosis.
You should not stop any medication without first speaking to your doctor. Certain treatments, particularly immunosuppressive drugs, may affect test accuracy. If possible, sample collection is best done before starting immunosuppressive therapy. Always share a full list of your current medications and supplements with your doctor before the test.
Neuronal Antibody Profile (Paraneoplastic Syndrome Profile) Test
