IHC Marker - MSH6 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About IHC Marker - MSH6 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | MSH6 Immunostain, G/T Mismatch Binding Protein (GTBP) IHC, IHC-MSH6, Mismatch Repair Deficiency (dMMR) |
| Sample Type | Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumour tissue block |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 3 days |
| Recommended For | All ages and genders; patients with colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, or suspected Lynch syndrome |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What Is an IHC Marker - MSH6 Test?
The MSH6 test is a specialised laboratory test that checks whether a protein called MSH6 is present in tumour tissue. MSH6 is a mismatch repair (MMR) protein, meaning it helps correct errors that occur when cells copy their DNA. Doctors order this test to screen for Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that raises the risk of several cancers, and to guide treatment decisions. The sample used is a tumour tissue block preserved in a process called formalin-fixation and paraffin-embedding (FFPE).
What Does an IHC Marker - MSH6 Test Measure?
The MSH6 test procedure uses a technique called immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect the MSH6 protein in tumour cell nuclei. A laboratory specialist applies a targeted antibody to thin slices of tumour tissue and examines the staining pattern under a microscope.
The table below explains the key aspects of what the test evaluates.
| Parameter | What It Checks |
|---|---|
| MSH6 protein expression | Whether the MSH6 protein is present (intact) or absent (lost) in tumour cells |
| MutSα complex function | MSH6 pairs with another protein, MSH2, to form the MutSα complex, which identifies and repairs DNA copying errors |
| Nuclear staining pattern | The staining result indicates whether the mismatch repair system is working normally or is deficient |
Why Is an IHC Marker - MSH6 Test Done?
Doctors request this test when there is reason to suspect a hereditary cancer syndrome or a defect in the DNA repair system. The following sections outline the typical reasons.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The test is not triggered by a single symptom but by clinical findings or family history that suggest a possible hereditary cancer risk. Your doctor may recommend it in these situations:
- Diagnosis of colorectal cancer, particularly at a younger age than usual
- Diagnosis of endometrial (uterine) cancer
- A personal or family history of multiple cancers across generations
- Cancer of the stomach, ovaries, urinary tract, or small intestine in close relatives
- Tumour characteristics on pathology that suggest a mismatch repair defect
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The MSH6 test helps identify several conditions. These include:
- Lynch syndrome (also called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer or HNPCC), a condition that raises the risk of colorectal, endometrial, and other cancers
- Mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR), where one or more MMR proteins are absent from tumour cells
- Hereditary endometrial carcinoma helps identify patients at risk of inherited endometrial cancer
- Microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumours, which show a pattern of DNA damage associated with MMR deficiency and may respond better to certain immunotherapy treatments
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Preparation for this test differs from a routine blood test. The tissue sample is collected during a biopsy or surgical procedure arranged by your doctor. The following sections explain what to do before the test and what the process involves.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. You can eat and drink as normal before your appointment. Since the sample is tumour tissue rather than blood or urine, dietary restrictions do not apply.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Here are a few practical steps to help the process go smoothly:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- Inform your doctor about any chemotherapy or radiation therapy you have received, as prior treatment can affect the test result
- Ask your treating doctor whether the tissue block from a previous biopsy or surgery can be used, as a fresh sample may not always be needed
- Ensure the tissue sample has been properly preserved. Your hospital or surgical team will handle this as part of standard procedure
Step-by-Step Procedure
The test is performed on a tissue block in the laboratory, not on blood drawn at a collection centre. Here is how the process works:
- A tissue sample is obtained from the tumour during a biopsy or surgery and preserved in formalin for several hours according to standard laboratory protocols.
- The preserved tissue is embedded in paraffin wax and cut into very thin slices, typically 4 to 5 microns thick, which are then mounted on glass slides.
- A process called antigen retrieval is carried out using heat or enzymes. This step unmasks proteins that the fixation process may have hidden, so that antibodies can detect them accurately.
- An antibody specific to the MSH6 protein is applied to the tissue sections and allowed to bind to the target protein.
- The slides are stained so that areas where the antibody has bound become visible under a microscope.
- A pathologist examines the stained slides and records whether MSH6 nuclear staining is intact or absent, producing the final report.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the reliability of the test result. These include:
- Under-fixation or over-fixation in formalin can reduce staining quality and mask target proteins
- Sample quality and the proportion of tumour cells in the sample
- Prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which can cause MSH6 protein loss independently of any genetic mutation
- Technical aspects of the antigen retrieval and staining protocol used by the laboratory
Understanding Your IHC Marker - MSH6 Test Results
Your results will be reported by a qualified pathologist and shared with your treating doctor. The table below outlines the two main outcomes.
| Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Intact (Positive) nuclear staining | MSH6 protein is present; the mismatch repair system appears to be working normally (MMR-proficient, pMMR) |
| Loss (Absent) nuclear staining | MSH6 protein is absent, indicating mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR), raising the possibility of Lynch syndrome or a sporadic MMR defect |
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 situations can affect how results should be read.
- Prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy can cause MSH6 protein expression to appear absent even when the underlying gene is not mutated. In such cases, doctors prefer to assess a tissue sample collected before treatment began, if one is available.
- Over-fixation of tissue in formalin can cross-link proteins in a way that prevents the antibody from binding correctly, which may affect the accuracy of staining. The laboratory team takes care to follow standard fixation times to minimise this risk.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
For those found to carry a Lynch syndrome-related mutation, the following general measures may support overall health and reduce cancer risk:
- Attend regular cancer surveillance appointments, including colonoscopies as recommended by your doctor
- Adopt a balanced diet, limit alcohol intake, avoid smoking, and maintain a healthy weight
- Discuss a personalised screening plan with your doctor so that any new concerns are identified early
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker - MSH6 Test Price
The MSH6 test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre or submission of the tissue block through your treating hospital. Home collection is not available for this test, as it requires a preserved tumour tissue sample obtained during a biopsy or surgical procedure.
| 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
Here is how to book the MSH6 test online or at a centre:
- Select the IHC Marker - MSH6 Test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time, or arrange for your tissue block to be submitted through your treating hospital.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 3 days of sample receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
The MSH6 test checks whether a key DNA repair protein is present in tumour tissue. Doctors use it to screen for Lynch syndrome, identify mismatch repair deficiency in tumours, and help plan treatment, including whether a patient may respond well to immunotherapy.
Doctors typically recommend this test for patients diagnosed with colorectal, endometrial, or other solid tumours, particularly when there is a family history of cancer occurring at a young age or across multiple family members. Your specialist will advise whether the test is appropriate for you.
No. The MSH6 test procedure requires a tumour tissue sample obtained through a biopsy or surgery. This cannot be collected at home. Your treating doctor or hospital will organise the sample and submit it to the laboratory.
At Lupin Diagnostics, the report is delivered within 3 days of the laboratory receiving the tissue block. The turnaround time includes the staining process and the pathologist's interpretation.
Absent MSH6 staining indicates that the protein is not expressed in the tumour cells. This finding may point to a mutation in the MSH6 gene itself or, if MSH2 is also absent, to an MSH2 gene mutation. Your doctor will review the result alongside your clinical history and may recommend further genetic testing.
Yes. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can reduce MSH6 protein expression, making the result appear as a loss even when no underlying genetic mutation is present. It is useful to inform your doctor about any previous treatment so that results are interpreted correctly.
An abnormal result does not confirm a diagnosis on its own. Your doctor will consider the findings together with your full medical picture and may refer you for genetic counselling or additional molecular testing to clarify whether a hereditary cancer syndrome is present.
IHC Marker - MSH6 Test: Booking, Price, and Results
