Why is immunohistochemical testing necessary?

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an important cellular and molecular immunological technique used to detect the expression of specific proteins in a patient's tissue samples. IHC accelerates diagnostic pathology, clinical, and basic research processes, making detection more efficient and results more accurate. IHC can be used to diagnose cancers—for example, by detecting HER2 protein expression in breast cancer tissues, or carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a tumor marker used in diagnosing colorectal cancer. Additionally, IHC is applicable in etiological detection and identifying certain antigens, such as those associated with tuberculosis. In clinical practice, IHC plays a crucial role in diagnosing various diseases, especially in oncological diagnosis, where it has become indispensable. It helps determine the presence or absence of specific proteins, providing valuable information for diagnosis. The results of IHC serve as an important reference for determining appropriate treatment strategies.