IHC Marker-CD11C Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker-CD11C Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | CD11c Immunostain, Integrin Alpha X (ITGAX) IHC, p150,95 IHC, Complement Receptor 4 (CR4) Marker, Leucocyte Surface Antigen CD11c Staining |
| Sample Type | Tissue biopsy (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue block) |
| Fasting Required | No, this is a tissue-based test, not a blood test |
| Report Time | 3 Days |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages; typically ordered when a haematological malignancy or histiocytic disorder is suspected |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What is an IHC Marker-CD11C Test?
The IHC marker-CD11C test is a specialised pathology test that detects the presence and distribution of the CD11c protein in tissue samples. CD11c, also called Integrin Alpha X (ITGAX) or p150,95, is a protein found on the surface of certain immune cells. The test uses a technique called immunohistochemistry, where specific antibodies bind to the CD11c protein and produce a visible stain under a microscope. Doctors order this test when a blood cancer or immune cell disorder is suspected, and a tissue biopsy has already been performed.
What Does an IHC Marker-CD11C Test Measure?
This test detects the CD11c protein within a tissue sample and assesses its expression pattern. Here is what the test evaluates.
| Component | What It Tells Us |
|---|---|
| CD11c protein expression | Whether CD11c is present or absent in the tissue cells examined |
| Staining pattern and intensity | How strongly and on which cells the protein is expressed |
| Cell type identification | Helps identify cells of the macrophage, monocyte, or dendritic cell lineage |
CD11c is a transmembrane protein (one that spans the cell surface) that forms a complex with another protein called CD18. Together, they help immune cells stick to blood vessel walls, engulf and destroy foreign material, and migrate through tissue. Its presence or absence on tumour cells provides important diagnostic information.
Why is an IHC Marker-CD11C Test Done?
A doctor may request the CD11c immunostain test when clinical findings or initial blood results suggest a haematological (blood-related) disorder. The sections below outline the common reasons for ordering this test.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Several symptoms may lead a doctor to request this test. The following are the most common reasons.
- Unexplained, persistent fatigue
- Recurrent infections that do not resolve normally
- Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly), often detected during a physical examination
- Abnormal blood counts, such as pancytopenia (low red cells, white cells, and platelets simultaneously)
- Unexplained weight loss over a short period
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
- Bone pain without an obvious cause
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The CD11c staining test is used to help identify several specific conditions. These include:
- Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL), a rare but slow-growing blood cancer where CD11c is a highly sensitive and specific marker
- Splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL), a type of lymphoma strongly associated with CD11c expression
- Acute non-lymphocytic leukaemias and some B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemias
- Histiocytic disorders, which are conditions involving abnormal tissue macrophages (immune cells that reside in organs and tissues)
- Identification of macrophage and dendritic cell lineages within tissue samples
How to Prepare and What to Expect
This test is performed on tissue that is collected during a separate biopsy procedure. The steps below explain what to expect before and during sample collection.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. Because this is a tissue-based test, your food and fluid intake have no bearing on the result.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following tips will help ensure your sample is processed without delays.
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Provide the original histopathology report and any relevant clinical or radiological records if a prior biopsy was performed
- If a new biopsy is needed, inform your doctor about all medications you are currently taking, especially blood thinners
- Ensure any new biopsy specimen is preserved immediately in 10% neutral-buffered formalin, with an optimum fixation time of 12 to 24 hours (not exceeding 48 hours)
Step-by-Step Procedure
The following steps describe how a tissue sample is collected and processed for the IHC marker-CD11C test.
- Your doctor arranges a biopsy to collect a small tissue sample from the affected area; this may be a needle biopsy or a surgical procedure depending on the site.
- The collected tissue is placed in formalin solution to preserve its structure, a step called fixation.
- The fixed tissue is embedded in paraffin wax to create a firm block, known as a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block.
- A laboratory technician cuts extremely thin slices of the block (approximately 4 to 5 microns thick) and mounts them on glass slides.
- A heat or enzyme-based process called antigen retrieval is applied to expose the CD11c proteins that may have been masked during fixation.
- CD11c-specific antibodies are applied to the slides; if the protein is present, a coloured stain becomes visible, which a pathologist then examines under a microscope.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence how reliable the results are. These include:
- Quality and duration of tissue fixation before processing
- Delays in placing the specimen in formalin after collection
- The technique used for antigen retrieval in the laboratory
- Quality and specificity of the CD11c antibody used
- Experience and expertise of the interpreting pathologist
Understanding Your IHC Marker-CD11C Test Results
Results from the CD11c immunostain are qualitative, meaning they are reported as positive or negative rather than as a number. A qualified pathologist interprets the staining pattern and intensity alongside the overall tissue architecture and other markers. Below is a general guide to what the findings may indicate.
| Finding | General Interpretation |
|---|---|
| CD11c positive (strong staining on tumour cells) | Consistent with hairy cell leukaemia, splenic marginal zone lymphoma, or histiocytic lesions |
| CD11c positive (expected cells only) | Normal expression on histiocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells |
| CD11c negative | The suspected B-cell neoplasm may not be hairy cell leukaemia or SMZL; other lymphoma types do not typically express CD11c |
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.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
The CD11c test is a diagnostic test for a suspected disease process and not a routine wellness screening. There are no lifestyle changes that alter CD11c expression in tissue. However, the following general habits support overall health and early detection.
- Attend regular medical check-ups so that blood count abnormalities can be identified promptly
- Report persistent or unexplained symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, or swollen glands to your doctor without delay
- Follow your doctor's guidance on further testing or specialist referrals if your initial results are abnormal
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker-CD11C Test Price
The IHC marker-CD11C test is priced starting at ₹1,920 at Lupin Diagnostics. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre; home collection is not available, as the test is performed on a tissue block that must be submitted directly.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 1920 |
| CHENNAI | 1920 |
| HYDERABAD | 1920 |
| KOLKATA | 1920 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 1920 |
| PUNE | 1920 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the IHC marker-CD11C test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time to submit your FFPE tissue block or biopsy sample.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The CD11c immunostain test helps diagnose haematological malignancies (blood cancers) and identify specific immune cell types within tissue samples. It is particularly useful for confirming hairy cell leukaemia and splenic marginal zone lymphoma, where CD11c expression is a strong diagnostic indicator.
Tissue is collected through a biopsy, which may be a needle biopsy or a small surgical procedure depending on the location of the abnormality. The sample is then preserved in formalin and processed into a paraffin-embedded block before being sent to the laboratory.
The CD11c staining procedure itself is carried out entirely in the laboratory on a tissue sample that has already been collected. Any discomfort is related to the biopsy procedure, which varies depending on the site and type of biopsy your doctor performs.
At Lupin Diagnostics, results are typically delivered within 3 days of the laboratory receiving the sample. Complex cases that require additional marker testing may take a little longer.
Yes, to a degree. Leucocyte surface antigen CD11c expression is strongly associated with splenic marginal zone lymphoma and hairy cell leukaemia. When used together with other markers such as CD19, CD20, and CD38, it can help differentiate these conditions from other lymphoma subtypes.
In confirmed hairy cell leukaemia cases, virtually every leukaemic cell shows CD11c reactivity, making it one of the most sensitive markers available for this condition. However, results are always interpreted alongside clinical findings and other immunohistochemical markers.
No fasting or dietary changes are needed. The most important steps are to ensure the biopsy specimen is fixed in formalin promptly after collection and to bring a detailed clinical history, previous reports, and any relevant imaging records when submitting the sample to the laboratory.
IHC Marker-CD11C Test: Booking, Price, and Results
