IHC Marker-CD123 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker-CD123 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | CD123 Immunostain, IL-3Rα (Interleukin-3 Receptor Alpha Chain) IHC, IL-3 Receptor Alpha Subunit IHC |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 3 Days |
| Recommended For | Adults and children of all genders when a haematological malignancy is suspected |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What is an IHC Marker-CD123 Test?
The IHC marker-CD123 test is a specialised laboratory test that detects the CD123 protein (also called the interleukin-3 receptor alpha chain, or IL-3Rα) in tissue samples. A pathologist examines a preserved tissue section under a microscope after applying an anti-CD123 antibody. Doctors order this test when a blood cancer or related condition is suspected. It is also known as the CD123 Immunostain or IL-3 Receptor Alpha Subunit IHC.
What Does an IHC Marker - CD123 Test Measure?
This test looks at how the CD123 protein is expressed in tissue. The following aspects are assessed:
| Component | What It Tells the Pathologist |
|---|---|
| CD123 protein (Interleukin-3 Receptor Alpha Chain) | Whether abnormal cells carry this marker on their surface |
| Protein localisation | Which cell types within the tissue are expressing CD123 |
| Staining pattern | Whether the distribution of CD123 is normal, absent, or abnormally increased |
In healthy tissue, CD123 expression is restricted to endothelial cells (cells that line blood vessels) and scattered plasmacytoid dendritic cells (a specific type of immune cell). Abnormal or widespread expression points towards a possible malignancy.
Why is an IHC Marker - CD123 Test Done?
Doctors use this test to investigate unusual symptoms or abnormal findings and to identify the specific type of blood disorder or cancer present.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms may prompt a doctor to request this test:
- Unexplained skin lesions or nodules
- Persistent fatigue without a clear cause
- Recurrent or unusual infections
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Bone pain
- Unexplained weight loss
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The CD123 IHC test helps identify or support the diagnosis of several conditions:
- Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), a rare blood cancer in which nearly 100% of cases show strong CD123 overexpression
- Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
- Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
- Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL)
- Systemic mastocytosis, a disorder involving abnormal mast cell growth
- Kikuchi lymphadenitis, a reactive lymph node condition where CD123 aids in distinguishing it from acute monocytic leukaemia
How to Prepare and What to Expect
This test is performed on tissue that has already been collected through a biopsy. The preparation steps below apply to the overall process.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. The test is performed on preserved tissue in a laboratory, so dietary restrictions do not apply.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Here are a few steps to help ensure a smooth testing process:
- Bring a detailed clinical history including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Carry the original histopathology report from your initial tissue examination
- Inform your doctor about all medications you are currently taking
- Confirm with your doctor that the FFPE tissue block or unstained slides are prepared and available for submission
Step-by-Step Procedure
The process from biopsy to result involves several stages:
- A doctor performs a biopsy (skin, bone marrow, or lymph node) under local or general anaesthesia to obtain the tissue sample.
- The tissue is fixed in formalin and embedded in a paraffin wax block to preserve it for analysis.
- Thin sections are cut from the block and mounted on glass slides.
- The slides are treated to remove the wax (deparaffinisation) and undergo antigen retrieval to expose the CD123 protein for testing.
- An anti-CD123 antibody is applied to the slides and the staining pattern is examined under a microscope by a pathologist.
- The FFPE tissue block is submitted to the Lupin Diagnostics laboratory, and results are delivered within 3 days.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the reliability of this test:
- Improper or prolonged formalin fixation of the tissue, which can mask the protein
- Inadequate antigen retrieval during slide preparation
- Incorrect antibody concentration used during staining
- Poor quality of the original tissue sample
- Absence of appropriate positive and negative control slides
Understanding Your IHC Marker - CD123 Test Results
Results from this test are qualitative and must always be reviewed by a qualified pathologist along with your clinical team. The table below outlines what different outcomes may suggest.
| Result | What It May Indicate |
|---|---|
| Negative or low expression | Non-malignant tissue; normal scattered expression on plasmacytoid dendritic cells and endothelial cells |
| Positive or high expression | Possible BPDCN, AML, ALL, hairy cell leukaemia, systemic mastocytosis, or other haematological malignancies |
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
While this test is diagnostic rather than a routine wellness check, the following tips support general wellbeing:
- Maintain a balanced diet to support immune function
- Attend all follow-up appointments with your haematologist or oncologist as advised
- Report new or changing symptoms such as skin changes, unexplained fatigue, or bruising to your doctor without delay
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker - CD123 Test Price
The IHC marker - CD123 test starts at ₹1,920 at Lupin Diagnostics. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre; home collection is not available for this test.
| 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 - CD123 test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time for sample submission.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
The CD123 IHC test is used primarily to diagnose blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), a rare blood cancer. It also supports the diagnosis of other blood cancers such as acute myeloid leukaemia, hairy cell leukaemia, and systemic mastocytosis.
The sample is obtained through a biopsy, which a doctor performs on the skin, bone marrow, or lymph node. The tissue is then preserved in formalin and embedded in paraffin before being sent to the laboratory for testing.
The laboratory test itself is performed on preserved tissue, so there is no discomfort during testing. The biopsy used to collect the tissue may cause some pain, which is managed with local or general anaesthesia by the treating doctor.
No. The CD123 Immunostain is one part of a broader diagnostic process. A confirmed diagnosis typically requires additional IHC markers and clinical correlation. For example, BPDCN diagnosis requires expression of CD123 alongside other plasmacytoid dendritic cell markers.
Your doctor may request this test if you have suspicious skin lesions, abnormal blood counts, swollen lymph nodes, or other signs that suggest a haematological malignancy, particularly BPDCN or acute leukaemia.
At Lupin Diagnostics, results for the IHC marker-CD123 test are delivered within 3 days of sample receipt at the laboratory.
A positive result means the CD123 protein is overexpressed in the tissue sample. Depending on the clinical context and other markers tested, this may indicate a specific type of blood cancer. A positive result may also make a patient eligible for certain targeted therapies. Your oncologist will discuss next steps based on the full picture.
IHC Marker-CD123 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
