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APPLICATION OF IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: A REVIEW
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has radically altered the practice of diagnostic
histopathology. It is increasingly being applied for more accurate and precise diagnosis, theranostics
and prognostics in the management of tumours. Unfortunately clinicians and pathologists in
resource-constrained settings may not be exposed to its clinical utility.
Objectives: To provide a review of the principles and utility of IHC in diagnosis as relevant to
histopathological diagnosis in clinical practice.
Data sources: A retrospective PubMed search was used to find most recent studies and reviews
published on immunohistochemistry. Popular anatomical pathology textbooks and online resources
were also searched.
Study selection: The searches for articles were limited to the MeSH terms “humans” and “English
language”. Emphasis was placed on recent review and original articles that are dealing directly
with respective technical aspects and immunohistochemical stains of interest.
Data extraction: Both authors searched and reviewed related articles separately.
Data synthesis: The extracted information was compared so as to include the most updated
information available.
Conclusions: Immunihistochemistry has become an essential component of histopathology.
Clinicians need to be conversant with developments in IHC in order to liaise appropriately with
pathologists for the benefit of their patients. There is a need for urgent establishment of IHC
practice within resource-constrained countries in order to meet current diagnostic standards in
tumour pathology.
Background: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has radically altered the practice of diagnostic
histopathology. It is increasingly being applied for more accurate and precise diagnosis, theranostics
and prognostics in the management of tumours. Unfortunately clinicians and pathologists in
resource-constrained settings may not be exposed to its clinical utility.
Objectives: To provide a review of the principles and utility of IHC in diagnosis as relevant to
histopathological diagnosis in clinical practice.
Data sources: A retrospective PubMed search was used to find most recent studies and reviews
published on immunohistochemistry. Popular anatomical pathology textbooks and online resources
were also searched.
Study selection: The searches for articles were limited to the MeSH terms “humans” and “English
language”. Emphasis was placed on recent review and original articles that are dealing directly
with respective technical aspects and immunohistochemical stains of interest.
Data extraction: Both authors searched and reviewed related articles separately.
Data synthesis: The extracted information was compared so as to include the most updated
information available.
Conclusions: Immunihistochemistry has become an essential component of histopathology.
Clinicians need to be conversant with developments in IHC in order to liaise appropriately with
pathologists for the benefit of their patients. There is a need for urgent establishment of IHC
practice within resource-constrained countries in order to meet current diagnostic standards in
tumour pathology.
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