NGS Mini Focus Panel [25 DNA+23 RNA] Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About NGS Mini Focus Panel [25 DNA+23 RNA] Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | NGS Mini Focus Panel, Focused Cancer NGS Panel, Targeted Oncology NGS Panel (DNA + RNA), Multi-gene Cancer Panel |
| Sample Type | Tumour tissue (FFPE block — formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 30 days |
| Recommended For | Adults with diagnosed solid tumours; males and females |
| Price | Starting at ₹21,000 |
What is an NGS Mini Focus Panel [25 DNA+23 RNA] Test?
The NGS Mini Focus Panel [25 DNA+23 RNA] test is an advanced genetic test used in cancer care. It uses next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to analyse tumour tissue for specific genetic changes across 25 DNA genes and 23 RNA genes. Doctors use it to guide personalised treatment decisions after a cancer diagnosis. It is also called a Focused Cancer NGS Panel or Targeted Oncology NGS Panel.
What Does an NGS Mini Focus Panel [25 DNA+23 RNA] Test Measure?
This test examines DNA and RNA extracted from a tumour tissue sample (an FFPE block). It looks for three types of genetic changes that can drive cancer growth or influence treatment response.
The test covers the following types of alterations:
- DNA mutations (25 genes): Single nucleotide variants (single-letter changes in the DNA code), small insertions and deletions (indels), and copy number alterations (extra or missing copies of genes). Genes assessed include EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, ALK, PIK3CA, ERBB2, MET, RET, NRAS, HRAS, and others.
- RNA gene fusions (23 genes): Abnormal joining of two separate genes that can drive cancer growth. These are detected through RNA sequencing and include fusions in ALK, ROS1, NTRK1, NTRK2, NTRK3, RET, FGFR2, FGFR3, and others.
- Copy number gains: Extra copies of cancer-driving genes that may indicate specific therapy options.
Why is an NGS Mini Focus Panel [25 DNA+23 RNA] Test Done?
This test is prescribed when an oncologist needs detailed genetic information about a tumour to plan or adjust treatment. It is not a screening test and is always done after a cancer diagnosis.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Your doctor may recommend the NGS Mini Focus Panel test in the following situations:
- Newly diagnosed cancer requiring a personalised treatment plan
- Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic disease)
- Cancer that has returned after previous treatment
- Poor response to standard chemotherapy
- Unexplained significant weight loss alongside a confirmed cancer diagnosis
- Persistent and unexplained fatigue in a patient under cancer care
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test helps identify actionable genetic alterations across a wide range of solid tumour types, including:
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Melanoma (skin cancer)
- Prostate cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Glioblastoma (a type of brain tumour)
NGS Mini Focus Panel [25 DNA+23 RNA] Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
This test plays a useful role in ongoing cancer management. It helps oncologists track genetic changes in a tumour over time to assess how the disease is evolving. It can also detect resistance mutations that may explain why a treatment has stopped working, allowing doctors to consider alternative targeted therapies.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed for this test, but there are a few important steps to take before your appointment.
Do You Need to Fast?
No. Fasting is not required for this test. You can eat and drink normally beforehand.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Being organised before your appointment will help the process run smoothly. Keep the following in mind:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, histopathology report, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) report, as this documentation is required for the test.
- Inform your doctor or the laboratory team about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are currently taking.
- Confirm whether adequate tumour tissue from a previous biopsy or surgery is already available, as this may remove the need for a new procedure.
- Ask your oncologist whether the existing FFPE block meets the quality requirements for NGS testing.
Step-by-Step Procedure
The NGS Mini Focus Panel [25 DNA+23 RNA] test procedure uses tumour tissue rather than a blood sample. Here is what the process typically involves:
- If tumour tissue from a previous biopsy or surgery is available in an FFPE block, it is submitted to the laboratory directly.
- If adequate tissue is not already available, a specialist performs a tissue biopsy to obtain a tumour sample.
- The laboratory prepares tissue sections from the FFPE block, typically requiring several unstained slides.
- A pathologist reviews the slides to confirm that the sample contains sufficient tumour cells (at least 20% tumour content is required).
- DNA and RNA are extracted from the tumour cells, prepared into sequencing libraries, and processed through the NGS platform.
- Specialised software analyses the sequencing data to identify mutations, gene fusions, and copy number changes. A report is prepared and sent to your oncologist.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence how reliable the results are:
- Low tumour cellularity (fewer than 20% cancer cells in the sample) may result in an inconclusive report.
- Poor tissue fixation or very old FFPE blocks may yield lower-quality DNA or RNA.
- Prior chemotherapy or radiation may affect the quality of genetic material in the sample.
- Tumour heterogeneity (different mutations in different parts of the same tumour) may mean not all alterations are captured.
Understanding Your NGS Mini Focus Panel [25 DNA+23 RNA] Test Results
Results from this test are not reported as numbers against a reference range. Instead, they are reported qualitatively — indicating whether specific mutations or fusions were detected. Your oncologist will interpret these findings alongside your full medical history, tumour type, and disease stage.
| Result Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| No pathogenic variants detected | No clinically significant mutations found in the tested genes |
| Pathogenic variant detected (Tier I or II) | A mutation with established or potential clinical significance was identified |
| Variant of uncertain significance (VUS) | A mutation was found, but its clinical relevance is currently unknown |
| Gene fusion detected | An abnormal joining of two genes was identified |
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 whether a result is obtainable or reliable. Your oncologist should be aware of the following:
- Samples from older FFPE blocks (typically beyond 14 years) have a higher chance of failing quality checks, as DNA and RNA degrade over time.
- A proportion of patients do not receive results due to insufficient sample quality or low tumour content in the submitted block.
- Previous chemotherapy or radiation treatment can damage the DNA and RNA within the tissue, potentially affecting sequencing quality.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
Because this is a qualitative diagnostic test rather than a routine health check, "healthy levels" do not apply in the traditional sense. The following general guidance supports your overall wellbeing during cancer care:
- Follow your oncologist's recommendations on follow-up testing, especially if your treatment plan changes.
- Discuss genetic counselling with your doctor if there is a concern about inherited cancer risk within your family.
- Maintain balanced nutrition and adequate rest to support your body during treatment.
Lupin Diagnostics NGS Mini Focus Panel [25 DNA+23 RNA] Test Price
The NGS Mini Focus Panel [25 DNA+23 RNA] test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹21,000. Because this test requires tumour tissue collected through a biopsy or surgery performed in a clinical setting, home collection is not available. You will need to visit a Lupin Diagnostics centre or arrange for your FFPE block to be submitted through the appropriate channel.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 21000 |
| CHENNAI | 21000 |
| HYDERABAD | 21000 |
| KOLKATA | 21000 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 21000 |
| PUNE | 21000 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
The NGS Mini Focus Panel [25 DNA+23 RNA] test online booking process is straightforward:
- 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, or coordinate with your oncologist for FFPE block dispatch.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The NGS Mini Focus Panel [25 DNA+23 RNA] test is used in cancer care to identify specific genetic mutations and gene fusions within a tumour. The findings help oncologists select targeted therapies that are most likely to be effective for an individual patient. This test is used after a cancer diagnosis and is not intended as a cancer screening tool.
DNA sequencing detects genetic changes such as single nucleotide variations and small deletions, while RNA sequencing identifies gene fusions, which are abnormal combinations of genes that can drive cancer development. Using both methods increases the likelihood of detecting clinically relevant genetic alterations compared with DNA-only testing.
The test requires tumour tissue preserved as a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) block, usually obtained from a previous biopsy or surgical procedure. A new procedure is often not required if the existing tissue sample is adequate and meets sequencing quality standards.
No, this test does not diagnose cancer. It is performed after a confirmed cancer diagnosis to provide detailed molecular information about the tumour, which helps doctors plan personalised treatment strategies.
Yes, in some cases the test may not generate a reliable result. This can occur if the FFPE tissue block contains too few tumour cells, the sample quality is poor, or the tissue is too old for accurate sequencing. Your doctor or laboratory team will discuss alternative options if this occurs.
This test mainly identifies somatic mutations that develop within the tumour and are not inherited. If your oncologist suspects an inherited cancer risk, they may recommend separate germline genetic testing and genetic counselling to assess implications for family members.
NGS Mini Focus Panel [25 DNA+23 RNA] Test: Booking, Price, and Results
