Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
immunohistochemistry
Pronunciation: ih-MYOO-noh-his-toh-KEM-ih-stree
Laboratory technique using antibodies to detect specific proteins in tissue sections.
Full Definition
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a widely used laboratory technique that employs antibodies to identify and localize specific proteins, antigens, or other molecules within tissue sections. The process involves binding primary antibodies to target antigens, followed by detection systems that produce visible signals, typically brown staining. IHC is essential for cancer diagnosis, classification, and biomarker assessment. Common applications include hormone receptor testing in breast cancer and PD-L1 expression evaluation for immunotherapy eligibility.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as IHC in clinical contexts.
In Context
- "Immunohistochemistry revealed strong estrogen receptor positivity." — Pathology report
- "The protocol specified standardized immunohistochemistry procedures." — Clinical trial document
Also known as
IHC
Don't confuse with
immunofluorescence
flow cytometry