immunohistochemistry
Pronunciation: /ˌɪmjʊnoʊˌhɪstoʊˈkɛmɪstri/
A laboratory technique using antibodies to detect specific proteins in tissue samples, crucial for cancer diagnosis and biomarker assessment.
Full Definition
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a widely used method in pathology that employs antibody-antigen interactions to visualize protein expression in tissue sections. In precision oncology, IHC serves multiple critical functions including cancer subtype classification, prognostic marker assessment, and predictive biomarker evaluation. Common applications include hormone receptor testing in breast cancer, PD-L1 expression for immunotherapy selection, and mismatch repair protein assessment. IHC results are typically reported using standardized scoring systems and require careful interpretation by trained pathologists.
Usage
Usage note: IHC is the standard abbreviation; ensure clarity when discussing specific staining protocols.
In Context
- "Immunohistochemistry revealed strong PD-L1 expression in 75% of tumor cells." — Pathology report
- "The laboratory performed immunohistochemistry for mismatch repair proteins MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2." — Diagnostic testing protocol