NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS Test
About NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | NTRK Gene Fusion Panel Test, NTRK1/2/3 Fusion Test, TRK Fusion Detection Test, Neurotrophic Tyrosine Receptor Kinase Fusion Test |
| Sample Type | FFPE tissue block |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 30 Days |
| Recommended For | Adults and children with solid tumours being evaluated for targeted therapy eligibility |
| Price | Starting at ₹21,600 |
What Is a NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS Test?
The NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS test is a molecular diagnostic test that examines tumour tissue for gene rearrangements in the NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3 genes. These genes, when abnormally fused with other genes, can drive cancer growth.
Doctors order this test, also known as the NTRK Gene Fusion Panel test and the NTRK1/2/3 Fusion test, to determine whether a patient's cancer may respond to targeted therapies called TRK inhibitors. The test uses Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), an advanced technology that reads DNA and RNA at high speed and depth.
What Does a NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS Test Measure?
The NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS test procedure analyses three specific genes from a tumour tissue sample. Each gene encodes a TRK protein that, when abnormally activated through gene fusion, can promote cancer growth.
| Gene | Protein Encoded | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| NTRK1 | TRKA | Located on chromosome 1; abnormal fusions drive cancer cell proliferation |
| NTRK2 | TRKB | Fusions often found in brain tumours and lung cancers |
| NTRK3 | TRKC | Fusions commonly seen in infantile fibrosarcoma and secretory carcinomas |
The test also checks for point mutations (small, specific genetic changes) in these three genes. Results are reported as "Fusion Detected" or "No Fusion Detected," along with the identity of specific fusion partner genes where present.
Why Is a NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS Test Done?
This test is ordered when a doctor needs to know whether a cancer is driven by an NTRK gene fusion, which directly affects treatment decisions. It is particularly relevant for patients with rare tumour types or those who have not responded to standard therapies.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Doctors typically recommend this test based on clinical and pathological findings rather than symptoms alone. The following situations often prompt testing:
- Advanced or metastatic cancer with no clear treatment driver identified
- Tumour testing negative for other common mutations such as KRAS, BRAF, or EGFR
- Rare tumour types, including infantile fibrosarcoma or secretory carcinoma
- Refractory cancer that has not responded to prior treatments
- Tumours in the salivary gland, thyroid, soft tissue, or lung being evaluated for targeted therapy
- Paediatric solid tumours under investigation for genetic drivers
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test identifies specific genetic alterations that classify a tumour as NTRK fusion-positive. The following are key points to know:
- NTRK fusions occur in over 90% of infantile fibrosarcomas and secretory carcinomas
- In adults, salivary gland cancers, soft tissue sarcomas, and thyroid cancers have the highest rates of NTRK fusion positivity
- NTRK fusions are also found in lung, colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancers, as well as gliomas (brain tumours)
- Across all solid tumours, NTRK fusions are present in under 1% of cases overall
How to Prepare and What to Expect
The NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS test does not require fasting or any complex personal preparation. Most preparation involves ensuring the right tissue sample is available before testing begins.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. It is performed on a tumour tissue sample, so dietary preparation is not necessary.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following steps will help ensure the test proceeds smoothly and results are accurate:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history
- Confirm with your oncologist that adequate tumour tissue from a biopsy or surgery is available
- If your existing tissue sample is more than five years old, discuss with your doctor whether a fresh biopsy may be needed, as older samples may have degraded RNA
- Inform the laboratory about any prior chemotherapy or radiation, as these can affect tissue quality
- Discuss the timing of sample dispatch with your oncologist and the laboratory team
Step-by-Step Procedure
The following steps describe how a tumour tissue sample is collected and processed for the NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS test procedure:
- A tumour tissue sample is collected through a biopsy or obtained from a prior surgical specimen, often already available from cancer diagnosis
- The tissue is fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin wax, creating what is called an FFPE (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded) block
- The FFPE block or unstained tissue slides are packaged and sent to the specialised molecular laboratory at ambient temperature (18 to 28 degrees Celsius)
- In the laboratory, both DNA and RNA are extracted from the tissue, the RNA is converted to complementary DNA (cDNA), and both are prepared for sequencing
- The NGS platform reads the genetic material at high depth, generating large volumes of sequencing data
- Bioinformatics software analyses the data to identify any NTRK gene fusions or point mutations, and a detailed report is prepared for your doctor
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the quality of results from this test:
- RNA degradation in tissue samples older than five years
- Low tumour cell content (below 20%) in the sample, which reduces detection sensitivity
- Inadequate tissue quantity from slides or FFPE curls
- Prior chemotherapy or radiation affecting tissue integrity
- Sample handling and storage conditions during transport
- Some NTRK2 fusions are harder to detect using DNA-based panels
Understanding Your NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS Test Results
Results from the NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS test should always be reviewed with your oncologist, who will interpret findings alongside your full clinical picture, tumour type, and treatment history.
| Parameter | Expected Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| NTRK1 Fusion | Not Detected | Detected result indicates a fusion-positive tumour |
| NTRK2 Fusion | Not Detected | Detected result indicates a fusion-positive tumour |
| NTRK3 Fusion | Not Detected | Detected result indicates a fusion-positive tumour |
A positive result means a gene fusion was identified and may indicate eligibility for targeted therapy with TRK inhibitors, which have shown response rates above 75% in fusion-positive cancers. A negative result means no NTRK fusion was found in the tested sample.
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 conditions can influence how results are interpreted:
- Samples older than five years may yield degraded RNA, increasing the risk of a false-negative result
- Low tumour cell content in the sample may reduce the test's ability to detect a fusion that is present
- Prior treatment with chemotherapy or radiation may alter tissue quality and affect sequencing performance
Clinical Guidelines for Genomic Evaluation
This test detects a genetic characteristic of a tumour, so "healthy levels" do not apply in the traditional sense. The following general points may be helpful:
- Early and thorough genomic testing is recommended for patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumours
- Work closely with your oncologist to understand your results within the context of your specific cancer type and overall treatment plan
- Consider this test as part of broader molecular profiling, where appropriate, to guide the most targeted treatment decisions
Lupin Diagnostics NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS Test Price
The NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹21,600. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre and the submission of an existing FFPE tissue block through your oncologist or hospital.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 21600 |
| CHENNAI | 21600 |
| HYDERABAD | 21600 |
| KOLKATA | 21600 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 21600 |
| PUNE | 21600 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
The following steps explain how to book the NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS test online booking through Lupin Diagnostics:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website
- Choose your city and preferred centre location
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time, and coordinate with your oncologist to arrange the submission of your existing FFPE tissue block
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 30 days of sample receipt
Frequently Asked Questions
An NTRK gene fusion is an abnormal joining of one of the NTRK1, NTRK2, or NTRK3 genes with another gene. This creates an abnormal protein that continuously signals cancer cells to grow. Detecting this fusion is important because patients with fusion-positive tumours often respond very well to a specific class of targeted drugs called TRK inhibitors.
This test is recommended for patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumours, particularly those with rare tumour types such as infantile fibrosarcoma or secretory carcinoma. It is also advised for patients whose tumours test negative for other common driver mutations and for those being considered for TRK inhibitor therapy.
NTRK fusions are present in under 1% of solid tumours overall. In common cancers, the rate is consistently below 0.5%. However, in rare tumour types such as infantile fibrosarcoma and secretory carcinoma, NTRK fusions are found in up to 90% of cases.
NGS is considered the most reliable method for detecting NTRK fusions. It can identify both known and novel fusion partners, distinguish functional fusions from non-functional ones, and handles the large intronic regions of NTRK genes better than older DNA-based approaches. This makes it the preferred platform for guiding treatment decisions.
The report turnaround time at Lupin Diagnostics is 30 days from the time the sample is received in the laboratory. This accounts for the time needed for RNA extraction, library preparation, sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis.
A positive result means that an NTRK gene fusion is present in your tumour. Your oncologist will assess your eligibility for targeted therapy with TRK inhibitor drugs, which have shown high response rates in fusion-positive cancers regardless of tumour type. The specific treatment plan will be decided by your doctor based on your full clinical situation.
No. A negative result from the NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS test simply means this particular genetic change was not detected in your tumour. Your cancer may be driven by other genetic alterations, and your oncologist will arrange further testing and recommend the most appropriate treatment options.
NTRK1,2,3 Fusion By NGS Test
