IHC Marker - MPO Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker - MPO Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Myeloperoxidase Immunostain, MPO IHC, Myeloperoxidase Immunohistochemistry, Anti-MPO Immunostain |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block |
| Fasting Required | No — this test is performed on tissue samples, not blood |
| Report Time | 7 Days |
| Recommended For | All genders and age groups when investigating blood cancers or suspected myeloid tumours |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What Is an IHC Marker - MPO Test?
The IHC marker - MPO test is a specialised laboratory test that uses immunohistochemistry (a staining technique) to detect the myeloperoxidase (MPO) protein in tissue samples. MPO is an enzyme found in certain white blood cells called granulocytes, and its presence in a tissue sample is a reliable indicator of myeloid cell origin. Doctors typically order this test when investigating suspected blood cancers or abnormal growths involving white blood cells. It is also known as the MPO IHC test or myeloperoxidase immunostain.
What Does an IHC Marker – MPO Test Measure?
The MPO test detects whether the myeloperoxidase protein is present within cells in a tissue sample. The test uses specialised antibodies that attach to MPO and produce a visible signal under a microscope, allowing a pathologist to identify which cells carry this marker.
Here is what the test evaluates:
| Component | What It Tells Us |
|---|---|
| MPO Protein (cytoplasmic staining) | Determines whether cells in the tissue carry myeloperoxidase, which is strongly expressed in neutrophilic and eosinophilic granulocytes (mature and immature white blood cells) and virtually absent in all other cell types. |
| Staining pattern and distribution | Cytoplasmic (within the cell body) staining confirms myeloid identity; the absence of staining points toward non-myeloid origins. |
| Percentage of MPO-positive cells | A pathologist assesses what proportion of cells show MPO staining. Detection in 3% or more of blast cells (immature blood cells) is a key diagnostic threshold. |
Results are qualitative (positive or negative) rather than numerical, and a trained pathologist interprets the staining pattern in the context of your full clinical picture.
Why Is an IHC Marker – MPO Test Done?
This test is ordered by haematologists and oncologists to investigate abnormalities found in tissue or bone marrow samples. Understanding the cell lineage of abnormal cells is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Your doctor may recommend the MPO test procedure if you experience any of the following:
- Unexplained or persistent fatigue
- Recurrent infections or prolonged fever
- Night sweats without an obvious cause
- Bone pain or tenderness
- Unexplained bruising or easy bleeding
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Unusually high or abnormal white blood cell counts on a routine blood test
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The IHC marker – MPO test helps identify or confirm several blood-related conditions, including:
- Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a cancer of the myeloid blood cells
- Myeloid sarcoma (also called granulocytic sarcoma or chloroma), a tumour made up of myeloid cells
- Myeloproliferative disorders, where the bone marrow produces too many blood cells
- Myelodysplastic syndromes, a group of conditions caused by poorly formed blood cells
- Differentiation between myeloid and lymphoid leukaemias, which require different treatment approaches
How to Prepare and What to Expect
The MPO test procedure does not involve a routine blood draw. Instead, it uses tissue collected during a biopsy. Here is what you need to know before the test.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. Because this test analyses a tissue sample rather than blood or urine, food and drink intake do not affect the result.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Keep the following in mind before submitting your sample:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results and family history, as this is required for the test.
- Carry your original histopathology or biopsy report along with the tissue block or slides.
- Inform your doctor about any chemotherapy or radiation therapy you have received, as prior treatment can affect protein expression in the tissue.
- No changes to medications are typically needed, but inform your doctor about any ongoing treatment, including chemotherapy or radiation.
- Follow any specific instructions from your oncologist or haematologist regarding the biopsy procedure.
Step-by-Step Procedure
The IHC Marker - MPO test is carried out entirely in the laboratory. Here is how the process works:
- A trained clinician collects a tissue sample through a biopsy procedure, such as a bone marrow core biopsy or a tissue biopsy from a suspected tumour site. Local anaesthesia is used to reduce discomfort.
- The tissue is fixed in formalin and embedded in a paraffin wax block (FFPE block) to preserve it for laboratory processing.
- Laboratory staff cut extremely thin slices of the tissue block and place them on glass slides.
- A heat or enzyme treatment is applied to expose the MPO protein within the tissue cells.
- Specialised antibodies that target MPO are applied to the slides. These antibodies carry markers that produce a visible colour signal when the protein is present.
- A qualified pathologist examines the stained slides under a microscope, identifies MPO-positive cells, and prepares a written interpretation.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the reliability of the IHC Marker - MPO test result:
- Inadequate formalin fixation time (optimal fixation is 12 to 24 hours)
- Tissue sample size being too small for proper analysis
- Prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which can alter MPO protein expression in cells
- Poor tissue processing or delays in fixing the sample after collection
- Very poorly differentiated tumours, which may produce false-negative staining
- Tissue processing methods and the experience of the reporting pathologist
Understanding Your IHC Marker - MPO Test Results
Results from this test are qualitative, meaning they are reported as positive or negative (or as a percentage of stained cells) rather than as numerical values. A pathologist always reviews and signs off on the interpretation. Below is a general guide to understanding the findings.
| Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Positive (cytoplasmic staining in 3% or more of cells) | MPO protein detected; cells are likely of myeloid origin |
| Negative (no staining or less than 3% of cells stained) | MPO protein not detected; may suggest lymphoid or non-myeloid origin |
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 results more difficult to interpret:
- Prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy may reduce or alter MPO expression, potentially leading to a lower-than-expected staining result.
- In some adults with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, isolated MPO expression has been observed, which can complicate interpretation.
- Very poorly differentiated tumours may test negative for MPO even when a myeloid component is present. In such cases, additional tests such as flow cytometry may be used alongside the MPO IHC result.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
Since this test is used to investigate serious blood conditions, general wellness steps are supportive rather than curative. Here are a few helpful habits:
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with your haematologist or oncologist.
- Report new or worsening symptoms (such as fatigue, fever or unusual bleeding) to your doctor promptly.
- Follow your doctor's guidance on nutrition, rest, and supportive care during any ongoing treatment.
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker - MPO Test Price
The MPO test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre, as home collection is not available for tissue-based tests.
| 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 your MPO test online booking through Lupin Diagnostics:
- Select the IHC Marker - MPO test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time to submit your tissue block or slides.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 7 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IHC Marker - MPO test is used to determine whether abnormal cells in a tissue sample belong to the myeloid family of white blood cells. It is most commonly ordered to support the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), myeloid sarcoma and related blood disorders. Pathologists use it to classify leukaemias accurately and guide treatment decisions.
The sample is obtained through a biopsy, typically a bone marrow core biopsy or a biopsy from a suspected tumour site. This procedure is performed by a trained clinician at a healthcare centre, with local anaesthesia used to minimise discomfort. The tissue is then processed and embedded in paraffin before being sent to the laboratory.
No. The MPO test home collection is not available because this test requires tissue from a biopsy procedure, which must be performed at a healthcare centre by a qualified clinician. Once collected, the FFPE tissue block is submitted to the laboratory directly.
At Lupin Diagnostics, the report is delivered within 7 days of sample submission. Turnaround time can vary depending on the complexity of the case and whether additional stains are needed alongside the IHC marker - MPO test.
A positive result means the MPO protein was detected in 3% or more of the cells examined. This indicates myeloid differentiation, meaning the cells originate from the myeloid white blood cell lineage. Your doctor will use this finding alongside other tests to arrive at a final diagnosis.
The IHC test itself is carried out entirely in the laboratory and causes no discomfort. If a bone marrow biopsy is needed to collect the tissue, local anaesthesia is used during the procedure to reduce pain at the collection site.
The MPO test procedure using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry each detect myeloperoxidase through different methods. Using both increases diagnostic confidence, particularly in cases where results from a single method are unclear or where the tumour cells are poorly differentiated.
Not necessarily. A negative result suggests the cells are not of myeloid origin, but it does not exclude all forms of leukaemia. Early myeloblasts and monoblasts can sometimes lack MPO expression. Your doctor will review the full clinical picture, including other IHC markers and investigations, before reaching a diagnosis.
IHC Marker - MPO Test: Booking, Price, and Results
