Immunohistochemistry in surgical pathology practice: a current perspective of a simple, powerful, yet complex, tool

Area of Science:

• Surgical Pathology
• Immunohistochemistry
• Diagnostic Tools

Background:

• Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has become indispensable in surgical pathology.
• The utilization of IHC and monoclonal antibodies has significantly expanded over the last decade.
• Growing reliance on IHC necessitates a focus on its technical aspects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a current perspective on Immunohistochemistry (IHC).
• To highlight the increasing importance of technical reproducibility and quality assurance in IHC.
• To address challenges in IHC interpretation and inter-laboratory comparability.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and practices in Immunohistochemistry.
• Analysis of factors influencing technical reproducibility and interpretation.
• Discussion of quality assurance measures in IHC.

Main Results:

• The increasing demand for IHC underscores the need for standardized protocols.
• Ensuring uniformity in interpretation and inter-laboratory comparability is crucial.
• Addressing technical challenges is essential for reliable IHC results.

Conclusions:

• Immunohistochemistry is a powerful yet complex tool in surgical pathology.
• Standardization and quality assurance are paramount for the effective use of IHC.
• A current perspective is offered to navigate the complexities of IHC in diagnostics and therapy.