Her Fight is Our Mission

Immunohistochemistry is a specialised laboratory technique that uses antibodies to detect specific proteins in tissue samples. It plays a critical role in cancer diagnosis, classification, and treatment planning, offering insights that go far beyond what can be seen under a regular microscope.

At Apollo Athenaa Women’s Cancer Centre, immunohistochemistry is an integral part of our pathology workflow, particularly in breast and gynecological cancers. It helps our specialists determine not just whether a tumour is malignant, but what type of cancer it is, how aggressive it might be, and which treatments are most likely to work.

Understanding Key Markers in Women’s Cancers

• ER (Estrogen Receptor): Present in many breast and gynecological cancers. ER-positive cancers are driven by estrogen and respond well to hormone-blocking therapies like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors.
• PR (Progesterone Receptor): Similar to ER, PR positivity suggests the tumour is hormone-sensitive and typically has a better prognosis when treated with hormonal therapy.
• HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2): Found in aggressive cancers of the breast and uterus. HER2-positive tumours often respond well to targeted therapies.
• Ki-67: A proliferation marker indicating how fast cancer cells are growing. A high Ki-67 score means a more aggressive tumour, guiding the intensity of treatment required.
• p53: A tumour suppressor gene. Abnormal expression is associated with poor prognosis and may be seen in more aggressive or treatment-resistant cancers.
• WT1 (Wilms’ Tumor 1): A diagnostic marker for specific types of gynecological cancers, especially high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. WT1 positivity helps refine classification.

How It Works

• A small tissue sample, usually obtained through biopsy or surgery, is processed and prepared on glass slides.
• The tissue is then treated with specific antibodies that bind to target proteins, such as hormone receptors or tumour markers.
• When the antibody binds, it produces a colour reaction that highlights the presence and location of the protein under a microscope.
• These results are interpreted by our expert pathologists with expertise in women’s cancers and are included in the final histopathology report.
• In many cases, immunohistochemistry findings directly influence decisions about surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal treatment.

Key Features

• Enables precise tumour typing — distinguishing between different subtypes of breast and gynecological cancers
• Identifies key biomarkers such as ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67, p53, and WT-1, which are essential for guiding treatment
• Used in conjunction with routine pathology to provide a deeper understanding of tumour biology
• Critical in differentiating between benign and malignant lesions, or between primary and metastatic cancers [cancers that have spread from other parts of the body] 
• Fully integrated into the diagnostic workflow at Apollo Athenaa, with expert interpretation and multidisciplinary review

Benefits

• Helps determine eligibility for hormonal therapy or targeted treatments for HER2-positive breast cancer
• Aids in grading and staging tumours more accurately, influencing both prognosis and treatment approach
• Reduces diagnostic uncertainty in complex or borderline cases, improving the reliability of the final pathology report
• Offers rapid turnaround; results are typically available within 1–2 days once the tissue is processed
• Supports personalised oncology, helping match each woman with the most effective, evidence-based treatment for her specific cancer type

Immunohistochemistry brings precision and clarity to the diagnostic process. At Apollo Athenaa, it forms the molecular backbone of personalised cancer care, helping ensure every woman receives the right treatment, at the right time, with confidence.