IHC
Pronunciation: eye-aitch-see
Also written as: IHC — Immunohistochemistry
Acronym for Immunohistochemistry; a laboratory technique that uses antibodies to detect specific antigens within tissue sections.
Full Definition
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a staining method in which labelled antibodies bind to target antigens in fixed tissue sections, producing a visible signal—typically a coloured precipitate—that allows pathologists to localise and semi-quantify protein expression. IHC is essential in diagnostic pathology for tumour classification, identification of infectious organisms, and assessment of biomarker expression (e.g., ER, PR, HER2 in breast cancer). Editors must distinguish IHC (tissue-based) from immunocytochemistry (ICC), which is applied to cell preparations rather than tissue sections. The abbreviation should be presented in full capitals without periods.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish IHC (tissue sections) from ICC (cell preparations). On first use in a document, expand to 'immunohistochemistry (IHC).' Do not add periods between letters.
In Context
- "IHC for PD-L1 expression was performed using the 22C3 clone on FFPE sections from the primary tumour." — Oncology pathology report
- "The protocol appendix specifies antigen retrieval conditions for each IHC panel used in the study." — Clinical trial laboratory manual