Opinion - (2024) Volume 10, Issue 5
Received: 01-Oct-2024, Manuscript No. IPBM-24-21799; Editor assigned: 03-Oct-2024, Pre QC No. IPBM-24-21799 (PQ); Reviewed: 17-Oct-2024, QC No. IPBM-24-21799; Revised: 22-Oct-2024, Manuscript No. IPBM-24-21799 (R); Published: 29-Oct-2024, DOI: 10.36648/2472-1646.10.5.48
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a powerful and widely used technique in both research and clinical settings, particularly in the field of pathology. IHC utilizes the specificity of antibodies to detect specific antigens in tissue samples, enabling researchers and clinicians to visualize the presence, distribution, and abundance of target proteins within cells and tissues. The proteins targeted are known as immune-histochemical markers, and their detection can provide valuable insights into various biological processes and disease states, particularly in cancer diagnostics and treatment decisions. The role of immunehistochemical markers has expanded beyond basic pathology to encompass areas such as oncology, neuroscience, and developmental biology. This article will explore the principles behind IHC, the types of immune-histochemical markers, their significance in clinical applications, and the future directions of IHC in precision medicine. Immunohistochemistry is a laboratory method that combines anatomical, immunological, and biochemical techniques to identify specific molecules within a tissue section. It involves the use of antibodies that bind to specific antigens (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, or nucleic acids) in tissue samples. The antibodies are typically labeled with a visible marker, such as a fluorescent dye or an enzyme that catalyzes a color-producing reaction, allowing the detection of the antigen-antibody complexes under a microscope.
Tissues are collected and preserved, usually by fixing with formaldehyde or freezing, followed by embedding in paraffin or cryosectioning. Thin sections of tissue are then mounted on slides. Often, tissue fixation masks antigen epitopes. Heat or enzymatic treatments are used to “unmask” these antigens, making them accessible to the primary antibody. A primary antibody, specific to the target antigen, is applied to the tissue. This antibody binds specifically to the antigen if present. Secondary antibodies, which are specific to the primary antibody and conjugated to an enzyme or a fluorescent marker, are used to amplify the signal. Commonly used enzymes include horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and alkaline phosphatase (AP), which produce a colorimetric reaction visible under a microscope. Counterstains like hematoxylin are often used to provide contrast by staining cell nuclei. The samples are then imaged using a microscope. Immuno-histochemical markers can be classified based on their functions, localization, and their association with specific diseases. Below are the major types of markers used in research and clinical diagnostics. Tumor markers are proteins or molecules associated with cancerous cells.
These are used to assess hormone receptor status in breast cancer, helping to guide hormone therapy decisions. A marker for cell proliferation, often used to determine the aggressiveness of tumors. A tumor suppressor protein, whose mutation is associated with many types of cancers. These intermediate filament proteins are characteristic of epithelial cells. Different cytokeratins are expressed in different epithelial tissues, with CK7 and CK20 being common markers used in pathology. A marker of most epithelial tumors, EMA is useful in identifying carcinomas. Mesenchymal markers are typically expressed in connective tissue cells, such as fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells. These markers are particularly important in identifying sarcomas (tumors arising from mesenchymal cells).
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The author’s declared that they have no conflict of interest.
Citation: Fishel J (2024) The Role of Immunohistochemical Markers in Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis. J Biomark J. 10:48.
Copyright: © 2024 Fishel J. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
