IHC Marker - H3K27ME3 Test
About IHC Marker - H3K27ME3 Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | H3K27 Trimethylation IHC Test, Histone H3 Lysine 27 Trimethylation Test, H3K27me3 Immunostain Test, H3 Trimethyl K27 Test |
| Sample Type | FFPE Tissue Block |
| Fasting Required | No — this test is performed on a previously collected tissue specimen |
| Report Time | 3 Days |
| Recommended For | Both genders, all ages; primarily ordered for patients with suspected CNS tumours or soft tissue sarcomas |
| Price | Starting at ₹2,880 |
What is an IHC Marker - H3K27ME3 Test?
The IHC marker - H3K27ME3 test is a specialised laboratory test that uses immunohistochemistry to detect a specific chemical modification on a protein called histone H3.
This modification, known as trimethylation at lysine 27, plays a key role in controlling how genes are switched on or off inside cells. Doctors order this test to help classify certain tumours of the brain, spinal cord, and soft tissues. It is also known as the H3K27 Trimethylation IHC test or the H3 Trimethyl K27 Immunostain test.
What Does an IHC Marker - H3K27ME3 Test Measure?
The IHC marker - H3K27ME3 test procedure examines tumour tissue under a microscope after applying a specific antibody. The following table explains what the test evaluates.
| Component | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| H3K27me3 Nuclear Staining | Whether the H3K27me3 marker is present (retained) or absent (lost) in tumour cell nuclei |
| Expression Pattern | Helps classify tumours based on how many cells show the marker |
| Staining Score | Assigned by a pathologist based on the percentage of positive cells observed |
The key finding is whether staining is retained or lost. This distinction guides the pathologist's diagnosis and tumour classification.
Why is an IHC Marker - H3K27ME3 Test Done?
This test is ordered when a doctor or pathologist needs to classify a tumour more precisely after a biopsy. The result helps determine the tumour type and, in some cases, its likely behaviour.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may request this test after a biopsy is taken from a patient presenting with symptoms such as the following:
- Persistent headaches or raised intracranial pressure
- Neurological changes such as weakness, numbness, or speech difficulties
- A newly found mass in the brain, brainstem, or spinal cord on imaging
- A soft tissue swelling or lump with no clear cause
- Symptoms suggestive of a peripheral nerve tumour, such as pain along a nerve
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The H3K27ME3 test can support the diagnosis of several tumour types. These include:
- Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST): Loss of H3K27me3 is seen in a significant proportion of these aggressive soft tissue cancers
- Diffuse midline glioma (H3K27-altered): A brain tumour occurring most often in the brainstem, thalamus, or spinal cord, seen in both children and adults
- Posterior fossa ependymoma: The test helps distinguish between group A (PFA, associated with loss of the marker) and group B (PFB, which retains the marker)
- Meningioma (WHO Grade 2): Loss of H3K27me3 specifically identifies a subset of these intermediate-grade brain tumours that carry a much higher risk of aggressive growth and recurring after surgery.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
This test uses tissue collected during a prior biopsy or surgical procedure, so there is no preparation needed on the day of submission. The following sections explain what to bring and what happens at the laboratory.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. The IHC marker - H3K27ME3 test is performed on a tissue block, not on blood or urine.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
When submitting your tissue sample, keep the following points in mind:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history
- Carry your doctor's referral letter, which should include the biopsy site and relevant background
- Bring any existing histopathology reports that relate to the submitted tissue
- Include relevant imaging reports such as MRI, CT, or PET scans if available
- Ensure the tissue block is clearly labelled with your name and patient ID, matching the request form
- Keep the paraffin block at room temperature during transport and avoid exposing it to heat
Step-by-Step Procedure
The test involves a series of laboratory steps performed on your tissue block. Here is what happens:
- The FFPE tissue block is received at the laboratory and the clinical history is reviewed by the pathologist
- Thin sections are cut from the paraffin block and mounted onto glass slides
- A process called antigen retrieval is performed to expose the protein of interest within the tissue
- The primary antibody for H3K27me3 is applied to the tissue sections
- Positive and negative control tissues are processed alongside your sample to ensure accuracy
- A pathologist examines the stained slides under a microscope and scores the percentage of tumour cells showing nuclear staining, then issues a report
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the quality of the result. These include:
- Poor or delayed fixation of the tissue after the biopsy
- Inadequate labelling or improper storage of the tissue block before submission
- Limited or non-representative tissue in the submitted block
- Absence of appropriate internal control cells (such as endothelial cells, which normally retain the marker)
Understanding Your IHC Marker - H3K27ME3 Test Results
Results are reported as retained, partial loss, or complete loss of nuclear staining. A pathologist interprets the staining pattern in the context of your clinical history and other diagnostic findings. The table below outlines the general interpretation framework.
| Finding | Staining Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Retained | 95% or more of tumor cells positive | Normal pattern; seen in many benign and some malignant tumours |
| Partial Loss | 5% to 94% of tumor cells positive | May be significant; requires clinical correlation |
| Complete Loss | Less than 5% of tumor cells positive | Diagnostically significant; associated with specific tumour types |
Disclaimer: The information in this table is a general guide. 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
This is a diagnostic tumour marker test, not a wellness indicator. H3K27me3 expression in tumour tissue is not influenced by diet or lifestyle choices. Your doctor will advise on next steps based on the result in the context of your overall diagnosis.
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker - H3K27ME3 Test Price
The IHC marker - H3K27ME3 test price at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹2,880. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre for submission of the FFPE tissue block.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 2880 |
| CHENNAI | 2880 |
| HYDERABAD | 2880 |
| KOLKATA | 2880 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 2880 |
| PUNE | 2880 |
Disclaimer: 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 your IHC marker - H3K27ME3 test online:
- 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 tissue block
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time
Frequently Asked Questions
The IHC marker - H3K27ME3 test detects a specific chemical change on the histone H3 protein in tumour tissue. Using immunohistochemistry, it shows whether this marker is present or absent in tumour cell nuclei. The result helps pathologists classify certain brain and soft tissue tumours.
This test is primarily used to diagnose malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours and diffuse midline gliomas. It also helps classify ependymomas and assess recurrence risk in meningiomas. Your doctor will order it when standard histology alone is not sufficient to identify the tumour type.
The test requires a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block obtained through a prior biopsy or surgical procedure. No new blood or urine sample is needed. The block should be properly labelled and accompanied by a clinical history.
No. Because the sample is a tissue block from a biopsy or surgery, it must be physically submitted to a Lupin Diagnostics centre. The IHC marker - H3K27ME3 test cannot be collected at home.
At Lupin Diagnostics, the report is delivered within 3 days of sample receipt. The pathologist reviews the stained slides and prepares a written interpretation as part of the final report.
Loss of the H3K27me3 marker means that the tumour cells have lost this normal nuclear staining pattern. This finding is associated with specific tumour types such as diffuse midline gliomas and a subset of MPNSTs. Your treating doctor will explain what this result means for your particular case.
No. The H3K27ME3 test is one part of a broader diagnostic assessment. A final diagnosis takes into account the staining result alongside clinical history, imaging findings, other IHC markers, and histological features. Your pathologist and treating doctor will review all findings together before reaching a conclusion.
IHC Marker - H3K27ME3 Test
