Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel Antibodies

Specimen

Serum

Special Instructions

Minimum sample volume: 3 ml

Test Usage

The assay is positive in approximately 85% of patients with the Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome (with or without small cell lung carcinoma SCLC) and in about 30% of Cerebellar ataxia with SCLC. Calcium channel antibodies are rarely found in patients without myasthenic symptoms, except at low titre in a few cases with small cell lung cancer. This is because small cell lung cancers express this voltage gated calcium channel.

Turnaround time

Monthly

Availability

Referred Test

Assayed By

This investigation is performed at the Immunology Department, Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LJ.

Accreditation

Please note this test is not UKAS accredited