IHC Marker - INI1 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker - INI1 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | INI1/BAF47 IHC Test, SMARCB1 Immunostain Test, Integrase Interactor 1 Marker Test, hSNF5 IHC Test |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 3 days |
| Recommended For | All ages; primarily ordered for suspected tumours with rhabdoid or epithelioid features |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What Is an IHC Marker - INI1 Test?
The IHC marker - INI1 test is a specialised immunohistochemistry (IHC) test that detects the presence or absence of the INI1 protein in tumour tissue. INI1, also known as SMARCB1 or BAF47, is a tumour suppressor protein that is normally found in the nuclei of all human cells. Doctors order this test when they suspect certain rare tumours, particularly in children. This test is also known as the INI1/BAF47 IHC test, SMARCB1 immunostain test, integrase interactor 1 marker test, or hSNF5 IHC test. The sample used is a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block obtained through biopsy or surgery.
What Does an IHC Marker - INI1 Test Measure?
The INI1 test looks at a single protein and its staining pattern in tumour tissue. The table below explains what is assessed:
| Parameter | What It Tells Us |
|---|---|
| INI1 (SMARCB1) protein expression | Whether the INI1 protein is present (retained) or absent (lost) in tumour cell nuclei |
| Nuclear staining pattern | Whether the staining appears in the correct location (cell nucleus) with a valid internal control |
In healthy tissues, all cell types normally show INI1 protein in their nuclei. When this expression is lost specifically in tumour cells, it points towards a defined group of INI1-deficient cancers. Background cells such as stromal fibroblasts and blood vessel cells retain staining and act as an internal positive control.
Why Is an IHC Marker - INI1 Test Done?
Doctors order the IHC marker - INI1 test when tissue from a suspected tumour needs to be classified more precisely. It is most useful when a tumour shows rhabdoid or epithelioid features under the microscope.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms may prompt a doctor to request a biopsy and subsequent INI1 testing:
- An unexplained lump or mass anywhere in the body
- A slow-growing nodule in the arms or legs
- A non-healing skin ulcer or surface growth
- Abdominal swelling or an abdominal mass
- Neurological symptoms in children such as headache, vomiting, or unsteady walking
- Respiratory distress in infants
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The IHC marker - INI1 test helps identify or rule out the following tumour types:
- Malignant rhabdoid tumour (an aggressive childhood cancer affecting the kidney, soft tissue, or brain)
- Epithelioid sarcoma (both conventional and proximal types)
- Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour (ATRT), a rare and aggressive brain tumour in children
- Renal medullary carcinoma (a rare kidney cancer associated with INI1 loss)
- SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinomas (a subset of nasal and sinus passage cancers)
- Other tumours such as poorly differentiated chordomas, myoepithelial carcinomas of soft tissue, and extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Because this test is performed on tissue already collected during a biopsy or surgery, patient preparation is straightforward. Below is what you need to know before the test.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. This test is performed on a tissue sample, not a blood or urine sample, so there are no dietary restrictions. However, always follow the specific instructions provided by your doctor.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Before the tissue sample is sent to the laboratory, keep the following in mind:
- Bring a detailed clinical history including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test.
- Ensure the tissue block or slides are correctly labelled and stored at ambient room temperature (18 to 28°C) during transport.
- Provide the original histopathology report along with the tissue block or slides.
- Inform your treating doctor of any previous biopsies, surgeries, or relevant imaging results.
Step-by-Step Procedure
The INI1 test procedure is carried out entirely in the laboratory on a tissue block. Here is what happens:
- A surgeon or radiologist obtains a tissue sample from the suspected tumour through a biopsy or surgical resection.
- The tissue is fixed in formaldehyde (formalin) and then embedded in paraffin wax, creating a firm block that can be thinly sliced.
- The FFPE tissue block is cut into very thin sections (3 to 5 micrometres) using a specialised instrument called a microtome, and the sections are mounted onto glass slides.
- A process called antigen retrieval is carried out using heat and buffer solutions to expose the INI1 protein targets within the tissue.
- A primary antibody is applied to bind to the INI1 antigen, followed by a labelled secondary antibody that makes the binding visible under a microscope.
- A qualified pathologist examines the stained slides and interprets the INI1 staining pattern in the context of the clinical history and other diagnostic findings.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Certain factors can influence the quality and reliability of the test result:
- Quality and duration of tissue fixation in formalin before embedding
- Age of the cut paraffin sections, as older sections may show reduced immunoreactivity
- The technique used for antigen retrieval in the laboratory
- Quality of the antibody reagents used
- Incorrect interpretation of staining in stromal or inflammatory cells instead of actual tumour cells
Understanding Your IHC Marker - INI1 Test Results
Results from the IHC marker - INI1 test are reported by a pathologist and must always be read alongside the full clinical picture. The table below outlines the possible outcomes:
| INI1 Expression | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Positive (retained) | Normal finding; present in all normal tissues and most tumours |
| Complete loss (negative) | Suggests malignant rhabdoid tumour, epithelioid sarcoma, ATRT, or renal medullary carcinoma |
| Reduced (decreased) | May indicate synovial sarcoma |
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
Two situations can make interpretation more complex:
- INI1 staining must be assessed in the actual tumour cells. Non-tumour cells such as inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, and blood vessel lining cells retain INI1 expression even in INI1-deficient tumours, so they act as the internal positive control and should not be mistaken for retained expression in tumour cells.
- In rare cases, a tumour may retain INI1 expression but still show rhabdoid features under the microscope. This may point to a mutation in a related gene, SMARCA4, rather than SMARCB1, and warrants further testing.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
INI1 protein expression in tumours is determined by genetic changes and cannot be modified through lifestyle. However, the following general steps are worth noting:
- Attend regular health check-ups, particularly if there is a family history of rare or unusual cancers.
- Report any new, unexplained lumps, masses, or persistent symptoms to a doctor without delay.
- Follow your doctor's guidance on any further testing or specialist referrals after receiving results.
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker - INI1 Test Price
The INI1 test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires a visit to a hospital, as home collection is not available for tissue-based tests. 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 INI1 test online booking at Lupin Diagnostics.
- 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 or slides.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IHC marker - INI1 test helps pathologists confirm or rule out certain rare, aggressive tumours, including malignant rhabdoid tumours, epithelioid sarcoma, and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour (ATRT). It detects whether the INI1 protein is present, absent, or reduced in tumour tissue. The result guides diagnosis alongside clinical and histological findings.
The sample is a tissue block from the suspected tumour, obtained through a biopsy or surgery. The tissue is fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin wax. This is a specialised procedure performed by a surgeon or radiologist, and INI1 test home collection is not available.
A negative result means the INI1 protein is completely absent from the tumour cell nuclei. This pattern is characteristic of malignant rhabdoid tumours, epithelioid sarcoma, ATRT, and renal medullary carcinoma. A pathologist will interpret this finding in full clinical context before reaching a diagnosis.
At Lupin Diagnostics, the INI1 test report is delivered within 3 days. The test results are delivered directly via email or WhatsApp.
Yes. The test is particularly useful in children with suspected ATRT, a rare and aggressive brain tumour. All confirmed ATRT cases show a complete absence of INI1 nuclear expression, which helps distinguish them from other childhood brain tumours with similar appearances.
Yes. Synovial sarcoma typically shows reduced but not completely absent INI1 staining, whereas malignant rhabdoid tumour shows total loss. This distinction is diagnostically important and is assessed by the pathologist when reading the stained slides.
Yes. INI1 protein is normally present in the nuclei of virtually all healthy human cells. This is why non-tumour cells within the same tissue sample, such as blood vessel cells or immune cells, retain staining and act as a built-in reference point for the pathologist during interpretation.
IHC Marker - INI1 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
