IHC Marker - AR(Androgen Receptor) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker - AR(Androgen Receptor) Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | AR IHC, Androgen Receptor by Immunohistochemistry, Androgen Receptor Immunostain |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block |
| Fasting Required | No — no dietary or fasting restrictions required |
| Report Time | 3 Days |
| Recommended For | Patients with confirmed or suspected prostate cancer, breast cancer, salivary duct carcinoma, or other tumours where hormone receptor status guides treatment decisions |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What is an IHC Marker - AR(Androgen Receptor) Test?
The IHC marker - AR test detects the presence of the androgen receptor (AR) protein in tumour tissue. Androgen receptors are proteins that bind to male hormones such as testosterone and play a key role in the growth of certain cancers.
Also known as Androgen Receptor by Immunohistochemistry or AR IHC, this test is performed on a tissue sample — not a blood sample — obtained from a prior biopsy or surgery. Doctors use it to understand whether a tumour may respond to hormone-based treatments.
What Does an IHC Marker - AR(Androgen Receptor) Test Measure?
The IHC marker - AR test analyses two key aspects of androgen receptor expression in tumour tissue. The table below explains what is assessed.
| Parameter | What it Means |
|---|---|
| AR Nuclear Staining | Measures the percentage of tumour cell nuclei showing AR staining; positive is defined as 10% or more |
| Staining Intensity | Scored from 0 (no staining) to 3+ (strong staining), indicating how strongly the receptor protein is expressed |
Why is an IHC Marker - AR(Androgen Receptor) Test Done?
This test is not ordered based on symptoms alone. It is requested once a tumour has already been identified to guide further treatment planning.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Because the AR IHC test is performed after a tumour diagnosis, the following clinical findings typically prompt a doctor to request it.
- A confirmed or suspected prostate cancer diagnosis
- Breast cancer where the hormone receptor status is being assessed
- Salivary gland tumour, particularly salivary duct carcinoma
- Breast cancer classified as triple-negative, requiring further subtype analysis
- Tumours in the endometrium, ovary, or meninges where AR expression is relevant
- Cancer that has not responded to initial treatment, requiring reassessment
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The androgen receptor immunostain is used to characterise tumours across several cancer types.
- Prostate carcinoma — AR-positive tumours in untreated prostate cancer are more likely to respond to hormonal therapy
- Breast cancer — AR is expressed in 60 to 70% of breast cancers and is associated with a favourable outlook in oestrogen receptor-positive cases
- Salivary duct carcinoma — AR expression is found in 75 to 97% of these tumours, and androgen deprivation therapy may be considered
- Triple-negative breast cancer subtypes, where AR expression may influence therapeutic decisions
- Meningiomas and pituitary gland tumours, where AR expression can occur normally
IHC Marker - AR(Androgen Receptor) Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
The AR IHC test plays a meaningful role in ongoing cancer management. Detecting AR expression can indicate whether a tumour is likely to respond to androgen deprivation therapy, helping oncologists refine the treatment plan.
The test may be repeated to monitor how well the cancer is responding to anti-androgen treatment, particularly in metastatic prostate cancer and select breast cancer subtypes.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special patient preparation is needed for this test. The sample required is a tissue block already collected during a biopsy or surgical procedure.
Do You Need to Fast?
No. Because this test is performed on tissue rather than blood, there are no fasting or dietary restrictions for the patient.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Before submitting the tissue sample for the IHC marker - AR test procedure, keep the following points in mind.
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including symptoms, previous biopsy reports, and any treatment received, as this is required for the test
- Ensure the FFPE tissue block or any unstained slides are clearly labelled with your full name and patient identifiers
- Check that the tissue was fixed in formalin; if a different fixative was used, note this on the submission form
- Carry all relevant previous pathology reports when submitting the sample
Step-by-Step Procedure
- The FFPE tissue block (obtained during a prior biopsy or surgery) is submitted to the laboratory along with the clinical history form.
- Thin sections are cut from the tissue block and mounted onto glass slides.
- The slides are dewaxed using xylene and ethanol solutions, then rehydrated for staining.
- Heat is applied to unmask the AR protein so that antibodies can bind to it — a step known as antigen retrieval.
- AR-specific antibodies are applied to the tissue and allowed to incubate, binding to any receptor protein present.
- A qualified pathologist examines the stained slides and prepares a report assessing the staining pattern, intensity, and percentage of positive cells.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the quality and reliability of the IHC marker - AR test result.
- Inadequate formalin fixation of the tissue before embedding
- Poor quality or degraded FFPE block due to improper storage
- Prior androgen deprivation therapy, which may alter AR expression patterns in the tissue
- Variability in staining between different areas of the same tumour
- Laboratory technique and the expertise of the interpreting pathologist
Understanding Your IHC Marker - AR(Androgen Receptor) Test Results
Your results will be reviewed and interpreted by a qualified pathologist. The table below outlines the general parameters assessed.
| Parameter | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| AR Nuclear Staining | 10% or more of tumour cell nuclei stain positive | Less than 10% or no staining detected |
| Staining Intensity | 1+ (weak), 2+ (moderate), or 3+ (strong) | 0 (no detectable staining) |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain conditions can influence how results are interpreted.
- How the tissue sample was preserved: If the tissue wasn't kept in the protective liquid (formalin) properly or long enough, the proteins can hide. This makes it harder for the test to find them, which can make the final result less accurate.
- Past hormone treatments: If you have already had hormone therapies (like androgen deprivation therapy), it can actually change how the receptors show up in the tissue. Because of this, the doctor reading your test needs to know your full treatment history.
- Mixed cells in the same tumor: Not all cancer cells are identical. Even inside the exact same tumor, some cells might react strongly to the test while others don't react at all. Pathologists have to look at your entire medical history to truly understand what this variation means.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
For patients undergoing cancer treatment, the following general wellness practices support overall health.
- Follow your oncologist's guidance on treatment, monitoring, and follow-up schedules consistently
- Maintain a balanced diet and stay physically active to the level advised by your healthcare team
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments so that any changes in AR expression or treatment response can be detected early
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker - AR(Androgen Receptor) Test Price
The IHC marker - AR test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre or collection point; home collection is not available for this test, as it requires a processed tissue block rather than a routine blood or urine sample. The table below shows indicative prices:
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 1920 |
| CHENNAI | 1920 |
| HYDERABAD | 1920 |
| KOLKATA | 1920 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 1920 |
| PUNE | 1920 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time to submit the FFPE tissue block and a completed clinical history form.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IHC marker - AR test detects the presence of androgen receptor protein in tumour tissue. It helps oncologists determine whether a cancer is likely to respond to hormone-based treatments such as androgen deprivation therapy. It is most commonly used in prostate cancer, breast cancer, and salivary duct carcinoma.
A formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block is required. This tissue is obtained during a biopsy or surgical procedure. Unstained slides cut from the tissue block may also be submitted if a block is unavailable.
No fasting or dietary preparation is needed. However, patients must submit a complete clinical history along with the tissue sample, as this is required for accurate pathological interpretation of the results.
Lupin Diagnostics delivers results within 3 days. Turnaround time may vary slightly depending on case complexity and whether additional pathologist review is needed.
A positive result means the tumour cells express androgen receptors. This suggests the cancer may be more likely to respond to hormone-based treatments. Your oncologist will use this finding alongside other clinical information to guide your treatment plan.
A negative result means little or no androgen receptor expression was detected in the tumour tissue. This may indicate the tumour is unlikely to benefit from anti-androgen therapy. In advanced prostate cancer, a negative result can sometimes point to a shift toward a different tumour subtype. Your doctor will advise on the next steps.
No. This test is performed on tissue obtained through biopsy or surgery and must be processed in a specialised histopathology laboratory. Home sample collection is not applicable for this type of test.
IHC Marker - AR(Androgen Receptor) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
