IHC Marker - CDK4 Test
About IHC Marker - CDK4 Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | CDK4 IHC, Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 Immunohistochemistry, CDK4 Immunostaining |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 3 days |
| Recommended For | Adults with suspected soft tissue tumours, particularly lipomatous (fatty tissue) tumours; both genders |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What Is an IHC Marker - CDK4 Test?
The CDK4 test is a specialised laboratory test that uses immunohistochemistry (IHC), a technique that applies antibodies to detect specific proteins in tissue samples, to assess the presence of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) protein in a tumour specimen. A doctor typically requests this test when a soft tissue or bone tumour needs to be classified more precisely. The sample used is a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block, obtained through a biopsy or surgical procedure. This test is also referred to as CDK4 IHC or CDK4 Immunostaining.
What Does an IHC Marker - CDK4 Test Measure?
The CDK4 IHC test examines tissue at the cellular level to detect CDK4 protein expression. CDK4 is an enzyme that helps control how cells grow and divide. The following aspects are assessed during testing:
| Component | What It Assesses |
|---|---|
| CDK4 protein expression | Whether CDK4 protein is present in tumour cell nuclei |
| Cell cycle regulation | Whether cell division control is disrupted in the tumour |
| Tumour marker detection | Whether CDK4 overexpression indicates a specific tumour type |
CDK4 works alongside proteins called D-type cyclins to push cells through the G1 phase, the preparatory stage before DNA replication. When CDK4 is abnormally amplified, it can promote uncontrolled cell growth, which is associated with certain tumour types.
Why Is an IHC Marker - CDK4 Test Done?
Doctors order the CDK4 test to help classify tumours that may look similar under a microscope but require very different treatment approaches.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may recommend this test when a patient presents with any of the following signs:
- A painless lump or mass in the arms, legs, or abdomen
- Swelling around a known or suspected tumour site
- Discomfort caused by a mass pressing on nearby nerves, muscles, or organs
- Abdominal symptoms arising as a growing tumour presses on internal organs
- An incidentally discovered soft tissue mass on imaging
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The CDK4 IHC test helps identify or differentiate the following conditions:
- Atypical lipomatous tumour and well-differentiated liposarcoma (ALT/WDLPS), distinguishing these from benign fatty tissue growths
- Dedifferentiated liposarcoma, which characteristically overexpresses CDK4
- Low-grade osteosarcoma (a type of bone cancer), where CDK4 immunoreactivity supports the diagnosis and helps differentiate it from benign fibrous bone lesions
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Because this is a tissue-based test, preparation is different from a routine blood test. The steps below outline what patients and clinical teams should know before submitting a sample.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. This test is performed on a tissue specimen, not a blood sample. There are no dietary restrictions before biopsy or surgical resection.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following points help ensure the sample is suitable for accurate analysis:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test.
- Ensure the tissue is placed in formalin (10% neutral-buffered formalin) within 30 to 60 minutes of surgical removal.
- Allow adequate fixation time of 18 to 24 hours before the block is submitted.
- Confirm that the tissue sample is of sufficient size to allow thin sections to be prepared.
- Inform your doctor of all medications and any prior treatment to the tumour site.
Step-by-Step Procedure
The following steps explain how the tissue sample is collected and processed for this test:
- A surgeon or interventional specialist obtains a tissue sample through a biopsy or surgical resection at the tumour site.
- The tissue is immediately placed in formalin solution, which preserves the proteins and cellular structures needed for accurate staining.
- The fixed tissue is dehydrated and embedded in paraffin wax to create a solid FFPE tissue block that can be stored and sectioned.
- The block is sliced into very thin sections (approximately 4 to 5 microns thick) and mounted on positively charged glass slides.
- In the laboratory, CDK4-specific antibodies are applied to the slides. These antibodies bind to CDK4 protein where it is present, producing a visible stain.
- A qualified pathologist examines the stained slides under a microscope and evaluates the pattern and extent of CDK4 expression to reach a diagnostic conclusion.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the reliability of the CDK4 test procedure.
- Delayed fixation: tissue left unfixed for more than an hour after removal may show degraded proteins
- Improper formalin concentration: only standard 4% to 10% neutral-buffered formalin is suitable
- Insufficient tumour content in the tissue sample
- Tissue processing variability between laboratories
- Fat cells (adipocytes) in some tumours may express CDK4 below detectable thresholds, reducing sensitivity in certain cases
Understanding Your IHC Marker - CDK4 Test Results
Results from this test are evaluated by a pathologist based on the percentage of tumour cell nuclei that show positive staining. Only nuclear staining is considered; any staining seen in the cytoplasm (the cell body outside the nucleus) is disregarded.
| Expression Level | Staining Pattern | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Negative | Up to 5% of tumour cell nuclei stained | Suggests benign adipocytic or fibrous lesion |
| Focal Positive | 6% to 20% of tumour cells stained | May warrant further correlation with clinical findings |
| Diffuse Positive | More than 20% of tumour cells stained | Raises suspicion for well-differentiated or dedifferentiated liposarcoma |
A positive result helps support a diagnosis of well-differentiated or dedifferentiated liposarcoma when considered alongside clinical, imaging, and histological findings. A negative result may suggest a benign fatty tissue growth, pleomorphic liposarcoma, or myxoid liposarcoma, all of which typically do not express CDK4.
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
Formalin fixation can alter protein structure, making CDK4 less accessible to antibodies and potentially affecting staining intensity. In tumours with a high proportion of fat cells, CDK4 and MDM2 staining may fall below the detection threshold, which can reduce the sensitivity of the test in diagnosing atypical lipomatous tumours in some cases.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
CDK4 is a diagnostic marker, not a value that can be improved through lifestyle changes. The following general wellness steps are helpful:
- Attend regular medical check-ups and seek early evaluation of any persistent or unexplained lumps or swellings.
- Report new or growing masses to a doctor promptly rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.
- Consult an oncologist or surgical specialist if imaging identifies a soft tissue abnormality needing further assessment.
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker - CDK4 Test Price
The CDK4 test cost starts at ₹1,920 at Lupin Diagnostics. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre or submission of a properly prepared FFPE tissue block; home collection is not available for this test.
| 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
The following steps explain how to schedule the CDK4 test online booking with Lupin Diagnostics.
- Select the IHC Marker - CDK4 Test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time, or coordinate with your surgeon to submit the FFPE tissue block directly to the nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 3 days of sample receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
The CDK4 test is used to help diagnose specific types of fatty tissue tumours, particularly well-differentiated liposarcoma and dedifferentiated liposarcoma. It is also used to support the diagnosis of low-grade osteosarcoma. The results help pathologists distinguish these tumours from benign lesions that may look similar on imaging or under a microscope.
The sample is a tissue specimen obtained through a biopsy or surgical removal of the tumour. This is not a blood test. Once collected, the tissue is fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin wax to create an FFPE block, which is then sent to the laboratory for processing.
No. Because this test requires a tissue sample obtained through a clinical procedure, CDK4 test home collection is not available. The FFPE tissue block must be submitted directly to a Lupin Diagnostics centre or prepared in coordination with a surgical team.
A positive result means CDK4 protein is expressed in more than 5% of tumour cell nuclei. This finding, when correlated with clinical and imaging data, supports a diagnosis of well-differentiated or dedifferentiated liposarcoma. A pathologist will always review results in the full clinical context before reaching a conclusion.
CDK4 is often tested alongside other markers, particularly MDM2 and p16, as part of an immunohistochemistry panel. Using multiple markers together improves diagnostic accuracy when distinguishing liposarcomas from other adipocytic tumours.
No. CDK4 is overexpressed in well-differentiated and dedifferentiated liposarcomas but is typically absent in myxoid liposarcoma and pleomorphic liposarcoma. The CDK4 test cost is therefore most useful when the clinical picture and imaging suggest one of the CDK4-positive subtypes. Your pathologist will advise whether additional markers are needed.
IHC Marker - CDK4 Test
