High-Quality Immunohistochemical Stain Tests for Accurate Diagnostics

Description

Immunohistochemical Stain: A Comprehensive Diagnostic Tool for Tissue Analysis

The Immunohistochemical (IHC) Stain service from Lab Tests Dubai is a powerful, precision-based diagnostic technique used in histopathology and cytology to detect and localize specific proteins, antigens, and biomarkers within formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections.

Using highly specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, this test enables pathologists to:

• Identify tumor origin and type
• Confirm cancer subtypes (e.g., breast, lymphoma, neuroendocrine)
• Detect infectious agents (e.g., HPV, EBV, fungi)
• Diagnose autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
• Guide targeted therapy and prognosis

With a 5-day turnaround time, Lab Tests Dubai delivers accurate, reproducible IHC results—supporting hospitals, cancer centers, and pathology labs in delivering personalized, evidence-based diagnoses.

Available for tissue blocks or charged slides, this service integrates seamlessly into your diagnostic workflow.

Why You Need This Test

Immunohistochemistry is not just a test—it’s a diagnostic game-changer.

You need IHC when:

• A tumor’s primary origin is unknown (e.g., metastatic cancer of unknown primary)
• Differentiating between benign and malignant lesions
• Confirming lymphoma subtypes (e.g., CD20, CD3, CD30)
• Evaluating hormone receptors (ER/PR) or HER2 status in breast cancer
• Detecting viral infections like HPV in cervical dysplasia or EBV in lymphomas
• Diagnosing autoimmune diseases (e.g., myositis, nephritis)
• Assessing proliferation markers (e.g., Ki-67) or mismatch repair proteins (MMR) for Lynch syndrome

IHC adds molecular precision to morphology—turning uncertain diagnoses into definitive answers.

Symptoms That Indicate This Test

This is a post-biopsy diagnostic procedure, not a patient-facing screening test. It is indicated when:

• A biopsy or surgical specimen shows atypical or malignant cells
• Imaging reveals a mass or lesion of unknown origin
• There is suspicion of lymphoma, carcinoma, or sarcoma
• A patient has recurrent or metastatic cancer requiring re-profiling
• Autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease is suspected
• Infectious etiology needs confirmation (e.g., fungal, viral, bacterial)

The test is performed on tissue samples, not blood or urine—making it essential for definitive tissue-based diagnosis.

Natural Production: How Biomarkers Reveal Disease

The human body naturally produces proteins and antigens that regulate:

• Cell growth (e.g., HER2, EGFR)
• Hormone response (ER, PR)
• Immune function (CD markers)
• DNA repair (MLH1, MSH2, PMS2, MSH6)

But in disease:

• Cancer cells overexpress growth receptors (HER2)
• Lymphomas show abnormal CD marker expression
• Autoimmune cells infiltrate tissues with specific markers
• Viruses express antigens (e.g., HPV E6/E7)

IHC uses antibody-antigen binding to visualize these changes under the microscope—providing cellular-level insight into disease mechanisms.

This is molecular pathology in action.

What Happens If Untreated or Undiagnosed? Risks of Incomplete Tissue Profiling

Skipping IHC can lead to: ⚠️ Misdiagnosis – e.g., missing a lymphoma or misclassifying a carcinoma
⚠️ Ineffective Treatment – giving chemotherapy when immunotherapy or hormone therapy is needed
⚠️ Missed Targeted Therapy – failing to identify HER2+, PD-L1+, or MMR-deficient cancers
⚠️ Delayed Prognosis – without Ki-67 or MMR status, risk stratification is incomplete
⚠️ Missed Hereditary Cancer Syndromes – e.g., Lynch syndrome due to MMR protein loss

Early IHC profiling ensures:

• Accurate diagnosis
• Right treatment
• Better survival outcomes

How to Prepare for the Test

No patient preparation is required—this is a laboratory-based tissue test.

To ensure optimal results: ✅ Submit formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks or 4–5 unstained charged slides per marker
✅ Ensure proper tissue fixation (10% neutral buffered formalin, 24–48 hours)
✅ Provide complete clinical history:

• Patient ID, age, sex
• Clinical diagnosis
• Prior imaging or lab results
• List of required IHC markers

Lab Tests Dubai accepts:

• Single marker stains
• IHC panels (e.g., carcinoma, lymphoma, melanoma, MMR)
• Custom antibody requests (subject to availability)

We provide specimen submission kits and digital requisition forms for seamless processing.

Test Overview: Advanced Immunohistochemical Methodology

IHC Process:

1. Sectioning of FFPE block or use of slides
2. Deparaffinization and antigen retrieval
3. Incubation with primary antibody (e.g., anti-HER2, anti-CD20)
4. Visualization using enzymatic chromogen (e.g., DAB)
5. Counterstaining and microscopic evaluation
6. Pathologist interpretation using standardized scoring systems (e.g., Allred, H-score, CAP guidelines)

Results include:

• Positive/Negative status
• Intensity and distribution
• Clinical correlation notes

FAQs About Immunohistochemical Staining

Q: What types of antibodies do you offer?
A: We offer 50+ markers, including:

• Oncology: ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67, p53, PD-L1
• Lymphoma: CD3, CD20, CD30, CD15, ALK
• MMR: MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2
• Infectious: HPV, EBV (EBER), CMV, Fungi
• Neuroendocrine: Synaptophysin, Chromogranin, CD56
• And many more—custom requests welcome.

Q: Can I send a tissue block from another lab?
A: Yes. We accept external blocks and slides with proper labeling and consent.

Q: Do you provide digital images?
A: Yes. High-resolution IHC images available upon request for reports or teaching.

Q: Is this test covered by insurance?
A: Yes. IHC is standard of care in cancer diagnosis—fully covered by most UAE insurers.

Q: How will I get results?
A: A secure digital report is emailed within 5 business days, including staining results and pathologist interpretation.

When morphology isn’t enough, immunohistochemistry provides the answer.