The Importance of an IHC Service

After a patient has a biopsy, the tissue sample is sent to a laboratory where it is sliced into very thin pieces and then dipped in colorful dyes that help pathologists see the different cell types. These color-coded cells are then used to help identify the disease and guide treatment decisions. In many cases, the care team may recommend IHC testing to identify specific proteins within the cancerous cells to help make a more precise diagnosis. Find out bosterbio.com

Using IHC helps ensure that the correct therapy is given and that patients don’t receive unnecessary treatments. However, the IHC tests aren’t 100 percent accurate. False-positive results can result in unnecessary trauma or surgery for patients, and false-negative results can lead to delays in patient care and potentially worsen the disease. To prevent these errors, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates IHC test kits to ensure they’re correctly reporting accurate results.

IHC Service: The Benefits of Immunohistochemistry in Diagnostics

A tertiary-care hospital serving rural western Kenya developed and implemented an IHC service to support its expanding oncology program. The development of this IHC laboratory involved a series of strategic investments including renovations to the existing histopathology laboratory, acquisition of equipment and supplies through repurposing, donations and grants, and ongoing training for staff.

IHC offers many advantages for researchers, including high specificity, preservation of tissue morphology and enabling spatial localization of protein expression patterns. In addition, it is more affordable than other techniques, making it accessible to a wide range of researchers.