IHC Marker-Glypican 3 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker-Glypican 3 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | GPC3 IHC, Glypican-3 Immunostain, GPC-3 Immunohistochemistry |
| Sample Type | Tissue biopsy (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block) |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 7 Days |
| Recommended For | Adults and children with suspected liver tumours, germ cell tumours, or other malignancies where GPC3 expression is diagnostically relevant |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What is an IHC Marker-Glypican 3 Test?
The IHC Marker-Glypican 3 test is a specialised laboratory test that detects the presence of Glypican-3 (GPC3), a protein found on the surface of certain cancer cells. It is performed using a technique called immunohistochemistry, which applies a specific antibody to a tissue sample to reveal whether GPC3 is present. Also known as GPC3 IHC or Glypican-3 Immunostain, this test is typically ordered by a doctor when a liver tumour or another suspected malignancy needs further characterisation. The sample used is a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block obtained from a prior biopsy or surgical procedure.
What Does an IHC Marker-Glypican 3 Test Measure?
The IHC Marker-Glypican 3 test evaluates GPC3 protein expression within tissue sections. The table below explains the key parameters assessed.
| Parameter | What it Tells the Pathologist |
|---|---|
| GPC3 protein expression | Whether the GPC3 protein is present in the tissue cells |
| Staining pattern | Where GPC3 is located within the cell (membrane, cytoplasm, or canalicular areas) |
| Staining intensity | How strongly GPC3 is expressed, graded from 0 (none) to 3+ (strong) |
The pathologist reviews all three parameters together to arrive at a meaningful interpretation.
Why is an IHC Marker-Glypican 3 Test Done?
A doctor may order this test when a tissue biopsy has already been obtained, and a more precise diagnosis is needed. It helps to identify specific cancer types and to distinguish between conditions that may look similar under a standard microscope.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms may lead a doctor to request a biopsy and subsequent GPC-3 Immunohistochemistry testing.
- Unexplained or significant weight loss
- Persistent abdominal pain or swelling
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Noticeable enlargement of the liver
- Abnormal results on liver function tests
- Elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in the blood
- A palpable lump or mass in the abdomen
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The Glypican-3 Immunostain is particularly useful for identifying the following conditions.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer), where GPC3 is expressed in 70% to 90% of cases
- Hepatoblastoma, a liver tumour found predominantly in children
- Yolk sac tumours, including those associated with mixed germ cell tumours
- Melanoma, in selected cases
- Wilms tumour, a type of childhood kidney cancer
- Testicular germ cell tumours
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Because this test is performed on tissue already collected, there is no additional sample collection required from the patient. The steps below explain how the process works from tissue receipt to result.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. The IHC Marker-Glypican 3 test is carried out entirely on a tissue block in the laboratory.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following steps help ensure the test can be processed without delay.
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Confirm that the tissue block from your biopsy or surgery has been properly fixed in formalin and processed before submission
- Provide the site of biopsy, suspected diagnosis, and any relevant imaging reports to the pathologist
- If you have had prior IHC tests done elsewhere, bring those reports along for comparison
Step-by-Step Procedure
Here is how the IHC Marker-Glypican 3 test procedure is carried out.
- A tissue biopsy or surgical resection is performed by your treating doctor beforehand; this step is not part of the laboratory test itself.
- The tissue is fixed in formalin and embedded in a paraffin wax block to preserve it.
- Thin sections are cut from the FFPE tissue block and placed on glass slides.
- Antigen retrieval is performed, a process that unmasks GPC3 proteins so the antibody can bind to them.
- The GPC3-specific antibody is applied to the tissue section; it binds selectively to any GPC3 protein present.
- The stained slide is examined under a microscope by a qualified pathologist, who reports on GPC3 expression in the context of your clinical history.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence the reliability of the result.
- Age of the cut paraffin section, as older sections can reduce protein reactivity
- Duration and method of tissue fixation in formalin
- Quality and adequacy of the tissue sample submitted
- Antigen retrieval method used in the laboratory
- Presence of cirrhosis, which can cause focal GPC3 staining in regenerative nodules
- Pathologist's expertise in interpreting staining patterns
Understanding Your IHC Marker-Glypican 3 Test Results
Results from this test are qualitative and must be reviewed by a pathologist alongside other IHC markers, imaging findings, and clinical information. The table below provides a general guide to interpreting the findings.
| Result | Staining | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Negative | No staining detected | GPC3 not expressed; consistent with normal liver tissue, benign lesions, or non-expressing tumours |
| Weakly Positive (1+) | Faint staining | Low-level GPC3 expression; requires correlation with other findings |
| Moderately Positive (2+) | Moderate staining | Significant GPC3 expression; raises concern for GPC3-expressing malignancy |
| Strongly Positive (3+) | Intense staining | High GPC3 expression; strongly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma or other GPC3-positive tumours |
Disclaimer: 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 clinical situations can affect how results are interpreted.
- Cirrhosis: Patients with cirrhosis show a higher rate of GPC3-positive hepatocellular carcinoma (around 91%) compared to those without cirrhosis. Focal GPC3 staining may also occasionally appear in regenerative nodules within a cirrhotic liver.
- Well-differentiated and fibrolamellar variants: The test is less sensitive in extremely well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma and the fibrolamellar variant, meaning some cases may still show negative staining.
- Infants under one year: GPC3 is naturally expressed in foetal and neonatal tissues. Results in very young children must be interpreted with this physiological expression in mind.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
Since GPC3 is a cancer marker, these tips focus on supporting liver health generally rather than altering the marker itself.
- Limit alcohol intake and maintain a healthy body weight to reduce the risk of liver disease.
- Attend regular follow-up appointments if you have chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, or hepatitis.
- Speak with your doctor about hepatitis B vaccination and hepatitis C screening, as chronic viral hepatitis is a known risk factor for liver cancer.
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker-Glypican 3 Test Price
The IHC Marker-Glypican 3 test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre or submission of your tissue block through the appropriate channel; 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
The following steps explain how to book your IHC Marker-Glypican 3 test online.
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time for tissue block submission.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 7 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IHC Marker-Glypican 3 test is used to detect GPC3 protein expression in tissue samples. It helps pathologists distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma from benign liver lesions and other malignancies. It is also used to identify childhood liver tumours (hepatoblastoma) and germ cell tumours such as yolk sac tumours.
No new sample collection is required from the patient. The test is performed on a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block that has already been obtained through a biopsy or surgical procedure. If a tissue block is available, it can be submitted directly to the laboratory.
No. The IHC Marker-Glypican 3 test home collection option is not applicable because the test requires a tissue block, not a blood or urine sample. The block must be submitted to a Lupin Diagnostics centre or processing laboratory.
The report is typically ready within 7 days of the laboratory receiving the tissue block. Processing time may vary depending on tissue quality and whether additional markers are requested alongside GPC3.
Not on its own. GPC3 has high sensitivity for hepatocellular carcinoma, but some liver cancers, particularly well-differentiated or fibrolamellar variants, may still test negative. Your pathologist will interpret the GPC3 result together with other markers and clinical findings before concluding.
The laboratory staining process itself carries no risk to the patient. Any risks are associated with the original biopsy or surgical procedure through which the tissue was obtained. These would have been discussed with you by your surgeon or treating doctor at the time of the procedure.
Yes. The GPC3 IHC test is used in paediatric cases to diagnose tumours such as hepatoblastoma and yolk sac tumours. Pathologists are aware that GPC3 is naturally present in foetal and neonatal tissues, and they account for this when interpreting results in very young children.
IHC Marker-Glypican 3 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
