IHC Marker – IMP Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker – IMP Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | IMP3 IHC Test, Insulin-like Growth Factor II mRNA-Binding Protein 3 Test, IGF2BP3 Test, KOC Test (K-Homologous Domain Containing Protein Overexpressed in Cancer) |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 3 days |
| Recommended For | Adults of all genders; ordered when malignancy is suspected |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What is an IHC Marker – IMP Test?
The IHC marker – IMP test detects a protein called IMP3 (insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3) in tissue samples using a technique called immunohistochemistry. IMP3 is an oncofetal protein, meaning it is normally active during foetal development and is largely absent in healthy adult tissues. When it reappears in adult tissue, this often points to the presence of a tumour. Doctors order this test to help distinguish between benign and malignant tissue and to assess the aggressiveness of certain cancers. This test is also known as the IMP3 IHC test, insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3 test, IGF2BP3 test, or KOC test.
What Does an IHC Marker – IMP Test Measure?
The IMP test examines a tissue sample for the presence, location, and intensity of IMP3 protein expression. The protein is detected through cytoplasmic staining, where brown-coloured deposits in the cells indicate a positive result.
The key aspects evaluated in this test are listed below:
| Component | What It Tells the Pathologist |
|---|---|
| Staining intensity | Whether IMP3 expression is absent, weak, moderate, or strong |
| Percentage of stained cells | How many tumour cells in the sample express IMP3 |
IMP3 plays a role in mRNA trafficking, cell growth, and cell migration. Its presence in adult tissue is frequently linked to tumour aggressiveness and poorer clinical outcomes.
Why is an IHC Marker – IMP Test Done?
Doctors order the IHC marker – IMP test to help distinguish malignant tissue from benign tissue and to assess the aggressiveness of a tumour. It is usually requested after a tissue sample has already been obtained.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
- An unexplained lump or mass discovered during physical examination or imaging
- Unintentional weight loss without a clear cause
- Persistent pain in specific organ areas such as the abdomen, kidney region, or pelvis
- Abnormal findings on imaging tests such as CT, MRI, or ultrasound
- Suspicious or inconclusive results from an initial biopsy
- Persistent fatigue and weakness that suggest an underlying illness
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
- Cancers of the lung, pancreas, colon, stomach, and liver
- Kidney cancers, including papillary and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma
- Bladder, ovarian, and breast malignancies
- Endometrial serous carcinoma and its precursor lesions
- Hodgkin's lymphoma, particularly to distinguish it from certain other lymphomas
- Soft tissue sarcomas
How to Prepare and What to Expect
The IHC marker – IMP test does not require any preparation from the patient beyond what is needed for the biopsy procedure itself.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. The tissue sample is collected during a biopsy or surgical procedure, which your doctor will arrange separately. Follow any preparation instructions your doctor gives you specifically for that biopsy.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
- Bring a detailed clinical history including your symptoms, previous test results, and relevant family history, as this is required for the test
- Inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, particularly blood thinners or anticoagulants, before the biopsy procedure
- Disclose any allergies or bleeding disorders to your treating doctor
- Follow your doctor's instructions for care of the biopsy site before and after the procedure
Step-by-Step Procedure
- A clinician performs a biopsy or surgical excision to obtain a tissue sample from the area of concern.
- The tissue is fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin wax to create an FFPE block, which preserves the sample for analysis.
- The laboratory cuts very thin sections from the block and mounts them on specially coated glass slides.
- The slides are treated to retrieve the target protein, then exposed to an anti-IMP3 antibody that binds to IMP3 protein if it is present in the tissue.
- A secondary antibody is applied to make the binding visible, producing a brown stain where IMP3 is present.
- A qualified pathologist examines the slides under a microscope and scores the staining intensity and the percentage of cells affected.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the quality and reliability of the result:
- Poor tissue fixation or delays in processing after the biopsy
- Insufficient tissue volume in the sample
- Suboptimal antigen retrieval technique during slide preparation
- Antibody quality and specificity used in the staining process
Understanding Your IHC Marker – IMP Test Results
Results are reported as a combination of staining intensity and the percentage of cells stained. Your treating doctor will review the result alongside your clinical history, imaging reports, and other pathological findings. The table below shows general reference ranges:
| IMP3 Expression | Result | Typical Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Negative (0) | No brown staining detected | No IMP3 present; consistent with normal or benign tissue |
| Weak positive (1+) | Faint cytoplasmic staining | Low-level protein expression; clinical correlation needed |
| Moderate positive (2+) | Moderate cytoplasmic staining | Intermediate expression; pathologist review required |
| Strong positive (3+) | Intense brown cytoplasmic staining | High expression; associated with malignant and aggressive tumours |
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
The tips below are general wellness recommendations and are not a substitute for medical treatment:
- Attend regular health check-ups and age-appropriate cancer screenings as advised by your doctor.
- Report new or unusual symptoms such as unexplained lumps, persistent pain, or unintended weight loss to your doctor without delay.
- Follow a balanced diet, stay physically active, and avoid tobacco and excessive alcohol to support your overall health.
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker – IMP Test Price
The IMP test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires tissue collected during a biopsy or surgical procedure and must be submitted to a Lupin Diagnostics centre. Home collection is not available for this test. The table below shows indicative prices:
| 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 for IMP test online booking through Lupin Diagnostics:
- Select the IHC marker – IMP test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time for sample submission or to coordinate tissue block dispatch.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 3 days of sample submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IHC marker – IMP test detects the IMP3 protein in tissue samples. It helps doctors determine whether a tissue sample is malignant, identify the type of cancer, and assess how aggressive the tumour may be. It is typically used alongside other markers as part of a full pathological assessment.
The sample is a tissue biopsy collected by a doctor during a clinical procedure. The tissue is then fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin to form an FFPE block, which is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
No, IMP test home collection is not available. The test requires a tissue sample that can only be obtained during a clinical procedure performed by a trained medical professional.
A positive result means IMP3 protein was detected in the tissue cells. This may indicate malignancy and is often associated with more aggressive tumour behaviour. However, a positive result is always interpreted alongside other clinical findings, imaging, and additional IHC markers before a final diagnosis is made.
Not necessarily. A negative IMP3 result suggests the tissue may be benign or that the particular cancer present does not express IMP3. Some cancers do not produce this protein. Your doctor will consider all available findings and may request additional markers or tests before making a diagnosis.
The report is typically available within 3 days at Lupin Diagnostics. The test results will be delivered directly through email or WhatsApp.
No fasting is required. You should inform your doctor about any blood-thinning medications, known allergies, or bleeding disorders before the procedure. Bringing a detailed clinical history, including previous test results and relevant symptoms, is required for this test.
IHC Marker – IMP Test: Booking, Price, and Results
