Voltage Gated Calcium Channel IgG (LEMS) Autoantibodies
LEMS Autoantibody Test, Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS)
Test Codes
EPIC: LAB6852, Beaker: XVGCC, ARUP: 0092628
Department
Send Outs
Specimen Collection Criteria
Collect (preferred specimen): One plain Red-top tube.
Also acceptable: One Gold-top SST tube.
Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation
Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).
Preparation for Courier Transport
Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.2 mL)
Rejection Criteria
- Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.
- Gross Hemolysis or lipemia
- Plasma or CSF
In-Lab Processing
Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).
Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.2 mL)
Storage
Specimen Stability for Testing:
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 72 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 14 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days
Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:
Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.
Laboratory
Sent to ARUP Laboratory in Salt Lake City, UT.
Performed
Tuesday
Results available in 2-9 days.
Reference Range
By report.
Test Methodology
Quantitative Radioimmunoassay
Interpretation
Voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) autoantibodies are characteristic of Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS) with or without small-cell lung cancer. VGCC autoantibodies are also found, albeit less frequently and generally in low amounts, in paraneoplastic disease associated with lung, ovarian or breast carcinomas; in carcinomas (without LEMS or other paraneoplastic syndrome) and occasionally in neurological diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This assay detects p-type VGCC autoantibodies using omega-conotoxin M toxin (omega-conotoxin MVIIC).
Clinical Utility
These autoantibodies are found in Lambert-Eaton syndrome, in some patients with cancer without Lambert-Eaton syndrome and in a few patients with other neurological diseases.
CPT Codes
86596.
Contacts
Send Outs Laboratory – RO
248-551-9045
Name: Send Outs Laboratory – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-551-9045
Last Updated
9/14/2023
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