IHC Marker - Claudin-4 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker - Claudin-4 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Claudin-4 IHC, CLDN4 immunostain, Claudin-4 by immunohistochemistry |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 3 days |
| Recommended For | All ages and genders; primarily patients with suspected carcinoma or mesothelioma |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What is an IHC Marker - Claudin-4 Test?
The IHC marker - Claudin-4 test is a specialised laboratory test that detects the presence of the Claudin-4 protein in tissue samples using a method called immunohistochemistry (IHC). Claudin-4 is a protein found on the surface of epithelial cells, which are the cells that line organs and body surfaces.
Doctors use this test primarily to tell apart different types of tumours, particularly to distinguish carcinoma (cancer arising from epithelial cells) from mesothelioma (cancer of the body cavity lining). The test is also known as the Claudin-4 IHC or CLDN4 immunostain.
What Does an IHC Marker - Claudin-4 Test Measure?
The IHC marker - Claudin-4 test detects and measures the expression of Claudin-4 protein in a tissue sample. Below is a summary of what is assessed.
| Component | What it Means |
|---|---|
| Claudin-4 protein expression | Whether the protein is present on cell membranes in the tissue sample |
| Staining pattern (membranous vs. cytoplasmic) | Helps determine whether positivity is true or non-specific |
| Extent of staining (focal or diffuse) | Focal: 5 to 9% of tumour cells; Diffuse: 10% or more of tumour cells |
A result is considered positive when at least weak membranous staining is seen in 5% or more of tumour cells.
Why is an IHC Marker - Claudin-4 Test Done?
This test is ordered by oncologists and pathologists when a tissue sample needs to be classified more precisely. It plays a key role in guiding cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may request the Claudin-4 IHC test when a patient presents with the following symptoms:
- Unexplained fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion)
- Fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites)
- Suspected spread of cancer to a new site (metastasis)
- Shortness of breath without a clear cause
- Progressive abdominal swelling
- Chest pain with no obvious cardiac explanation
- Unexplained weight loss
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The test is used to support the diagnosis of several conditions. These include:
- Metastatic carcinoma from the lung, breast, pancreas, ovary, or gastrointestinal tract
- Pancreatic cancer, where Claudin-4 is expressed in nearly all cases
- Ovarian cancer (approximately 70 to 77% of certain subtypes test positive)
- Distinguishing carcinoma from mesothelioma in body cavity fluid specimens
- Distinguishing carcinoma from sarcoma (cancer arising from connective tissue)
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No patient preparation is needed for this test, as it is performed on a tissue sample already collected through a biopsy or surgical procedure.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. The IHC marker - Claudin-4 test procedure is carried out entirely on tissue, not on a blood or urine sample collected at the time of the appointment.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Please keep the following points in mind before submitting your sample:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and relevant family history, as this is required for the test
- Carry the original histopathology report from the biopsy or surgery
Step-by-Step Procedure
The following steps describe how the tissue sample is processed for the IHC marker - Claudin-4 test.
- The tissue specimen (collected via biopsy or surgery) is fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin, ideally for 12 to 24 hours, not exceeding 48 hours.
- The fixed tissue is embedded in paraffin wax, and thin sections of 3-5 microns are cut and mounted on glass slides.
- Heat-induced epitope retrieval is performed using citrate buffer to expose the target protein in the preserved tissue.
- The Claudin-4 antibody is applied to the tissue section, binding to any Claudin-4 protein present.
- Staining reagents are added, making any antibody-protein binding visible under a microscope.
- A qualified pathologist examines the stained slides and interprets the results in the context of your clinical history and other diagnostic findings.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence the reliability of results. These include:
- Quality of tissue fixation (improper preservation can prevent accurate protein detection)
- Delay between biopsy and fixation (extended delays may alter protein structure)
- Age of the tissue block or slides (older samples may show weaker staining)
- Technical factors such as antibody quality, laboratory procedures, and equipment calibration
Understanding Your IHC Marker - Claudin-4 Test Results
Results from this test must always be reviewed by a qualified pathologist alongside your clinical history, imaging findings, and other immunohistochemical markers. The table below provides a general guide to interpreting results.
| Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Positive (membranous staining in 5% or more of cells) | Supports a diagnosis of epithelial carcinoma; strongly argues against mesothelioma |
| Negative | Consistent with mesothelioma, reactive mesothelial cells, or benign mesothelial proliferation |
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 situations can make interpretation less straightforward.
- Rare mesothelial lesions may occasionally show focal granular staining in the cytoplasm (inside the cell) rather than on the cell membrane. This pattern should not be counted as a true positive result.
- Some adenocarcinomas arising from the breast, colon, stomach, prostate, kidney, or ovary may test negative for Claudin-4. A negative result in a patient with known cancer does not necessarily rule out carcinoma.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
Because this is a diagnostic test rather than a monitoring test, lifestyle changes do not affect Claudin-4 staining results. General guidance includes:
- Follow all recommendations made by your oncologist regarding follow-up tests and cancer prevention
- Attend scheduled health check-ups as advised by your doctor
- Share complete medical records and prior test reports at every consultation to support an accurate diagnosis
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker - Claudin-4 Test Price
The IHC marker - Claudin-4 test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre. Home collection is not available for this test, as tissue samples must be obtained through clinical procedures like biopsy or surgery.
| 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
Follow these steps to book the IHC marker - Claudin-4 test online booking:
- 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 sample.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IHC marker - Claudin-4 test helps pathologists determine whether a tumour found in body cavity fluid or tissue is a metastatic carcinoma or a mesothelioma. It is also used to distinguish carcinoma from sarcoma. The test is typically used as part of a panel of immunohistochemical markers to reach a definitive diagnosis.
The sample is a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block obtained through a biopsy or surgical procedure. This must be performed by a qualified medical professional in a clinical setting. Home collection is not possible for this test.
No, home collection is not available for this test. Tissue samples must be obtained through biopsy or surgery in a clinical environment and cannot be collected at home. You will need to visit a Lupin Diagnostics centre to submit your sample.
The Claudin-4 IHC marker has a reported sensitivity of 91-100% and specificity of 94-100% in identifying epithelial tumours. However, it is used alongside other IHC markers for a complete and accurate diagnosis.
At Lupin Diagnostics, the report for this test is delivered within 3 days. Total turnaround may vary depending on the complexity of the case and whether additional markers are tested alongside Claudin-4.
This is rare. In published studies, only about 1.6% of mesotheliomas tested positive for Claudin-4. This makes the marker highly specific for carcinoma and useful in distinguishing it from mesothelioma.
You should bring the FFPE tissue block from your biopsy, the original histopathology report, and a detailed clinical history including your symptoms, prior test results, and any relevant medical records. Clinical history is required for this test and helps the pathologist interpret results accurately.
IHC Marker - Claudin-4 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
