NTRK1 Test: Booking, Price, and Results

About NTRK1 Test

Field	Value
Also Known As	NTRK gene fusion test, NTRK1/2/3 fusion panel, TRK fusion test, Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase test
Sample Type	Peripheral blood (EDTA tube), bone marrow sample, fresh/frozen tumour tissue, or FFPE tissue block/slides
Fasting Required	No
Report Time	8 Days
Recommended For	Adults and children with solid tumours (any gender or age)
Price	Starting at ₹8,400

What is an NTRK1 Test?

The NTRK1 test is a specialised molecular diagnostic test that checks for gene fusions involving the NTRK1 gene in tumour tissue or blood. These fusions are abnormal rearrangements where the NTRK1 gene joins with another gene, producing a faulty protein that can drive cancer growth. The test is also known as the NTRK gene fusion test or TRK fusion test.

Oncologists order this test for patients with solid tumours to find out whether a targetable NTRK gene fusion is present, which can guide treatment decisions.

What Does an NTRK1 Test Measure?

The NTRK1 test procedure analyses tumour tissue or a blood sample to identify specific gene rearrangements. The test looks for the following:

Component	What It Represents
NTRK1 gene fusion	Abnormal joining of the NTRK1 gene with a partner gene, producing a protein that activates uncontrolled cell growth
NTRK2 gene fusion	Fusion involving the NTRK2 gene, which leads to constantly active growth signals in tumour cells
NTRK3 gene fusion	Fusion involving the NTRK3 gene; the ETV6-NTRK3 variant is strongly linked to certain rare cancers
Fusion partner gene	The specific gene partnered with an NTRK gene (e.g., TPM3, ETV6, LMNA), which identifies the exact fusion type

Why is an NTRK1 Test Done?

Doctors order this test to detect gene fusions that may be driving a patient's cancer and to determine whether a targeted treatment is suitable.

Common Symptoms That May Require This Test

A doctor may recommend NTRK fusion testing when a patient presents with any of the following:

A solid tumour at an advanced or metastatic stage with no standard treatment options available
A tumour type that is strongly associated with NTRK fusions, such as secretory carcinoma or infantile fibrosarcoma
Absence of other common oncogenic drivers such as EGFR, ALK, or ROS1 mutations
A paediatric tumour, particularly soft tissue sarcomas or brain tumours
Unexplained cancer in an unusual site or with unusual histology

Conditions This Test Can Help Detect

The NTRK test helps identify NTRK fusions across a range of cancer types. These include:

Secretory carcinoma of the breast or salivary gland (very high prevalence of NTRK fusions)
Infantile fibrosarcoma and congenital mesoblastic nephroma
Papillary thyroid carcinoma
Non-small cell lung cancer (rare)
Colorectal carcinoma, particularly in tumours with microsatellite instability
Soft tissue sarcomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) without KIT or PDGFRA mutations
Paediatric gliomas (brain tumours)

How to Prepare and What to Expect

No special preparation is needed for this test, but the quality of the sample provided has a direct impact on the accuracy of the results.

Do You Need to Fast?

No fasting is required before this test. There are no dietary restrictions linked to either tissue or blood sample collection for NTRK fusion testing.

Practical Tips Before Your Test

Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test.
Share relevant pathology reports and tumour histology details with the testing laboratory before or at the time of sample submission.
Provide the most recent tumour sample available; samples older than five years may have degraded DNA or RNA, which can affect results.
If your existing tissue sample is too old, speak to your oncologist about whether a re-biopsy is needed.
The tumour sample must contain at least 10% tumour nuclei for the test to produce accurate results.

Step-by-Step Procedure

The sample collection process differs depending on the sample type being used. Below is a description of each method.

For FFPE Tissue Block or Tumour Tissue (Primary Method):

Your oncologist identifies the need for the NTRK1 test based on your diagnosis, cancer type, and clinical history.
A biopsy or surgical specimen is collected from your tumour by a pathologist or surgeon at a hospital or clinic.
The tissue is processed and fixed in formalin, then embedded in a paraffin block (FFPE), or sent as fresh/frozen tissue. Unstained slides may also be prepared.
The tissue block or slides are labelled and packaged, then sent to the Lupin Diagnostics laboratory at ambient temperature (18 to 28 degrees Celsius).
In the laboratory, the FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridisation) method is used to detect NTRK1 gene rearrangements directly in the tissue sample.
Results are reviewed by a molecular pathologist, and a detailed report is generated within 8 days of sample receipt.

For Peripheral Blood (EDTA Tube, Liquid Biopsy):

Your doctor requests a liquid biopsy as an alternative when tumour tissue is unavailable or insufficient.
A trained phlebotomist collects a blood sample from a vein in your arm, typically using an EDTA tube.
The blood sample is stored and transported under appropriate conditions to maintain sample integrity.
The laboratory analyses circulating tumour DNA in the blood using the applicable molecular method.
Please note that liquid biopsy has lower sensitivity than tissue-based testing and may not detect all fusions present.
Results are reported within the standard turnaround time.

For Bone Marrow Sample:

Your oncologist determines that a bone marrow sample is clinically indicated based on your specific cancer type.
A bone marrow biopsy or aspiration is performed by a qualified specialist in a hospital setting.
The collected sample is processed, fixed, and prepared as per laboratory requirements before dispatch.
The sample is sent to the Lupin Diagnostics laboratory for FISH-based analysis.
Results are reported within 8 days of sample receipt.

Factors That Can Affect Accuracy

Low tumour cellularity (fewer than 10% tumour nuclei in the sample)
Poor tissue fixation, processing, or storage before testing
Sample age: DNA and RNA degrade over time, particularly in FFPE material
Cold ischaemia time and fixative quality at the time of biopsy
Testing methodology: FISH detects specific known rearrangements and may not capture all fusion variants

Understanding Your NTRK1 Test Results

Results from this test should always be reviewed by a qualified oncologist or molecular pathologist alongside your full clinical picture.

Result	Interpretation
No fusion detected	No NTRK1, NTRK2, or NTRK3 gene rearrangement was identified in the sample
Fusion detected	A specific NTRK fusion (e.g., TPM3-NTRK1 or ETV6-NTRK3) is present; patient may be eligible for TRK inhibitor therapy

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.

Unlike routine blood tests, the NTRK1 test gives a qualitative result only — there are no high or low numeric values. The report will state whether a fusion was detected and, if so, will name the specific fusion partner gene involved.

How to Maintain Healthy Levels

NTRK fusions are acquired mutations found only in tumour cells and are not related to diet, lifestyle, or inherited traits. The following general wellness practices support overall health during cancer care:

Maintain a balanced diet with adequate protein to support recovery during treatment.
Stay well hydrated and follow any specific nutritional guidance from your care team.
Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to allow your oncologist to monitor your response to therapy.

Lupin Diagnostics NTRK1 Test Price and Home Collection

The NTRK1 test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹8,400, and home collection is available for blood-based (liquid biopsy) samples. For tissue samples, your oncologist or pathologist will coordinate dispatch from the collection site. The indicative city-wise prices are listed below.

City	Approximate Price (₹)
BHOPAL	8400
CHENNAI	8400
HYDERABAD	8400
KOLKATA	8400
NAVI MUMBAI	8400
PUNE	8400

Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.

How to Book

Follow these steps to book your NTRK1 test online:

Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
Choose your city and preferred time slot.
Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist (for blood samples), or coordinate tissue sample dispatch through your treating hospital to the nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 8 days of sample receipt.

Home Collection

Home collection is available for blood-based liquid biopsy samples across cities served by Lupin Diagnostics. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by experienced molecular pathologists. Digital reports are delivered via email or WhatsApp once ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

An NTRK gene fusion is an abnormal mutation where one of the three NTRK genes joins with another gene in a tumour cell, producing a faulty protein that drives uncontrolled cancer growth. Identifying this fusion helps your oncologist decide whether a specific type of targeted therapy called a TRK inhibitor may be suitable for your treatment.

NTRK fusions are rare overall, detected in roughly 0.2% of all tumour cases in large databases. However, in certain rare cancers such as infantile fibrosarcoma and secretory carcinoma, the prevalence can exceed 90%. Your oncologist will advise whether testing is relevant based on your specific cancer type.

The test can be performed on FFPE tissue blocks or unstained slides from a biopsy or surgical specimen, fresh or frozen tumour tissue, bone marrow, or peripheral blood (EDTA tube) as a liquid biopsy alternative. Tissue-based testing is preferred as it offers greater sensitivity. A paraffin block is the most suitable format when available.

Results from the Lupin Diagnostics NTRK1 test are delivered within 8 days of sample receipt. Turnaround time may vary slightly depending on sample quality and the testing method used.

Your oncologist will review the findings and discuss whether you may be a candidate for TRK inhibitor therapy. Patients with confirmed NTRK fusions may be eligible for targeted treatments approved for use in solid tumours regardless of cancer type. Your doctor will guide the next steps based on your overall clinical picture.

Yes, you can book the test through the Lupin Diagnostics website. For blood-based testing, a home collection visit can be arranged. For tissue-based testing, your pathology team will coordinate sample dispatch from the treating hospital to the laboratory.

No. NTRK gene fusions are somatic mutations, meaning they occur only in the tumour cells and are not inherited from parents or passed on to children. They are not linked to any hereditary cancer syndrome and cannot be predicted by family history alone.