Article Text

Download PDFPDF
Immunohistochemistry in the era of personalised medicine
  1. Clare Margaret McCourt1,
  2. David Boyle1,
  3. Jacqueline James1,
  4. Manuel Salto-Tellez1,2
  1. 1Molecular Pathology Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
  2. 2Cancer Science Institute Singapore, National University Health System and National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
  1. Correspondence to Professor Manuel Salto-Tellez, Molecular Pathology Programme, CCRCB, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; m.salto-tellez{at}qub.ac.uk

Abstract

Background Immunohistochemistry (IHC) plays a central role in the histopathological classification of diseases, including cancer. More recently, the importance of immunohistochemical staining is increasing. IHC usage in diagnostics is invaluable; however, the genetic and therapeutic significance of biomarker immunostaining has become equally relevant.

Content In this article, we would like to analyse the three distinct roles of IHC and review their individual impacts on modern diagnostic pathology: (1) diagnostic IHC; (2) genetic IHC and (3) therapeutic IHC.

Summary Thus, we will characterise the different analytical processes that are required in the three approaches to IHC usage stated above, as well as the clinical significance and overall importance in patient management. This will allow us to hypothesise on the most appropriate laboratory environment and detection methods for the future.

  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Cancer
  • Diagnostics
  • Molecular Oncology
  • Tumour Biology

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request Permissions

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.