IHC Marker - PIT-1 Test
About IHC Marker - PIT-1 Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | PIT-1 Immunostain Test, POU1F1 IHC Test, Pituitary-Specific Transcription Factor 1 IHC Test, Pit1 IHC Marker Test |
| Sample Type | FFPE Tissue Block |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 3 Days |
| Recommended For | Adults with suspected pituitary tumours |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What Is an IHC Marker - PIT-1 Test?
The IHC Marker - PIT-1 test is a specialised tissue-based test used to classify pituitary tumours. It detects a protein called PIT-1 (Pituitary-Specific Transcription Factor 1, also known as POU1F1) within tumour tissue using a technique called immunohistochemistry.
Doctors order this test after a pituitary biopsy or surgery to determine which type of cell gave rise to the tumour. It is also referred to as the PIT-1 Immunostain test or the Pit1 IHC Marker test.
What Does an IHC Marker - PIT-1 Test Measure?
The PIT-1 test procedure detects the presence and pattern of PIT-1 protein in pituitary tumour tissue. PIT-1 is a transcription factor, meaning it is a protein that controls gene activity in specific pituitary cells. In normal tissue, it drives the production of three key hormones. The table below summarises what this marker reveals.
| Marker | What It Identifies |
|---|---|
| PIT-1 Expression (Positive) | Tumour belongs to the PIT-1 cell lineage: lactotroph (prolactin-producing), somatotroph (growth hormone-producing), or thyrotroph (TSH-producing) |
| PIT-1 Expression (Negative) | Tumour likely belongs to a different lineage, such as gonadotroph or corticotroph, or is a null cell tumour with no hormone production |
Why Is an IHC Marker - PIT-1 Test Done?
The PIT-1 Immunostain test is ordered when a patient has undergone surgery or biopsy for a pituitary tumour, and the treating team needs to identify its exact cell type for accurate diagnosis and management planning.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Certain symptoms may lead a doctor to investigate a pituitary tumour, ultimately resulting in an order for the IHC marker - PIT-1 test. These symptoms include:
- Unexplained infertility or difficulty conceiving
- Decreased libido (reduced sex drive)
- Galactorrhea (milky nipple discharge unrelated to breastfeeding)
- Persistent headaches without a clear cause
- Visual changes, such as loss of peripheral vision
- Signs of an underactive pituitary gland (hypopituitarism), including fatigue and hormonal imbalances
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
A pathologist uses PIT-1 staining results to help identify or classify the following conditions:
- Lactotroph adenomas (prolactinomas) that overproduce prolactin
- Somatotroph adenomas that produce excess growth hormone, causing acromegaly
- Thyrotroph adenomas that produce excess thyroid-stimulating hormone
- Mammosomatotroph adenomas that secrete both growth hormone and prolactin
- Immature PIT-1 lineage tumours, formerly called silent subtype 3 tumours
- Null cell adenomas, which do not produce any hormones
- Double adenomas, where two distinct tumour types are present in the pituitary gland
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Because this test is performed on tissue collected during surgery or biopsy, there is no special preparation required by the patient before sample collection. The steps below explain how the laboratory processes the specimen.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. This is a tissue-based test and is not affected by food or drink intake.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Keep the following points in mind before submitting your specimen:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and imaging reports, as clinical history is required for this test
- Carry the original histopathology report and any relevant radiological records
- If submitting an existing paraffin block from a previous surgery, ensure it is clearly labelled with your name and date
- Carry a valid prescription from your treating doctor
- If the paraffin block has already been cut into slides, ensure they are unbaked and stored correctly
Step-by-Step Procedure
The PIT-1 test procedure is carried out entirely within the laboratory on tissue that has already been collected surgically or via biopsy. Here is how it works:
- The tissue specimen is preserved in formalin and embedded into a paraffin wax block (FFPE tissue block) to stabilise it for processing
- Laboratory staff cut extremely thin slices of tissue (4 to 5 microns thick) and place them on glass slides
- A process called antigen retrieval, using heat or enzymes, is applied to expose the PIT-1 protein that fixation may have masked
- A PIT-1 antibody is applied to the tissue section, often using an automated slide staining system
- The stained slides are reviewed by a pathologist, who examines the nuclear staining pattern to determine whether PIT-1 is expressed and to what degree
- The pathologist issues a formal report, interpreting results alongside clinical, hormonal, and imaging findings
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
The following factors can influence the reliability of IHC marker - PIT-1 test results:
- Age of the cut paraffin section: sections older than six weeks may show reduced immunoreactivity
- Duration of formalin fixation: too short or too long affects protein preservation
- Improper tissue handling or storage after biopsy
- Absence of appropriate positive and negative control slides during staining
- Incomplete clinical history, which can make pathologist interpretation more difficult
Understanding Your IHC Marker - PIT-1 Test Results
Results from this test should always be reviewed by a qualified pathologist and discussed with your treating specialist. The table below outlines the general interpretation of PIT-1 staining.
| Result | Typical Meaning |
|---|---|
| Positive (nuclear staining detected in tumour cells) | Tumour belongs to the PIT-1 lineage: lactotroph, somatotroph, mammosomatotroph, or thyrotroph |
| Negative | Tumour likely belongs to the SF-1 (gonadotroph) or TPIT (corticotroph) lineage, or is a null cell tumour |
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.
Post-Diagnosis Management and Monitoring
This test is a diagnostic tool for tumour classification and not a general health screening test. The following general tips are relevant after diagnosis:
- Attend all follow-up appointments with your specialist as scheduled, including hormone-level blood tests and imaging studies
- Report any new or worsening symptoms, such as visual changes or persistent headaches, to your doctor promptly
- Keep a record of your test reports and imaging results to share with your healthcare team at each visit
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker - PIT-1 Test Price
The PIT-1 test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires an FFPE tissue block obtained during pituitary tumour surgery or biopsy. The tissue specimen can then be submitted to a Lupin Diagnostics laboratory for analysis.
| 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
Booking your IHC marker - PIT-1 test online with Lupin Diagnostics is straightforward:
- Select the IHC Marker - PIT-1 Test on the Lupin Diagnostics website
- Choose your city and preferred centre location
- Arrange for the FFPE tissue block or unstained slides to be submitted as advised by your treating doctor or healthcare facility
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 3 days
Frequently Asked Questions
This test is used to classify pituitary tumours by detecting the PIT-1 transcription factor protein in tumour tissue. It helps pathologists identify whether a pituitary tumour belongs to the PIT-1 cell lineage, which includes prolactin-producing, growth hormone-producing, and TSH-producing tumour types. Accurate classification guides the specialist team in planning treatment.
The test requires a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block obtained from a pituitary biopsy or surgical specimen. In some cases, unstained slides cut at 3 to 5 microns from the paraffin block are also acceptable. Your treating doctor or the laboratory team will advise on the exact submission format.
No. The PIT-1 test home sample collection option is not available because this test is performed on surgically obtained tissue, not a routine blood or urine sample. The specimen must be submitted directly to a Lupin Diagnostics centre.
The report for the IHC marker - PIT-1 test is delivered within 3 days of the laboratory receiving the specimen. Turnaround time may vary slightly depending on the condition of the tissue block and whether additional markers are being tested alongside PIT-1.
Pituitary tumour classification requires a panel approach. PIT-1 is typically assessed alongside other transcription factors such as SF-1 and TPIT, as well as pituitary hormones. Using multiple markers together gives the pathologist a more complete and accurate picture of the tumour's cell origin.
A positive result means the tumour cells show nuclear PIT-1 staining, indicating the tumour belongs to the PIT-1 lineage. This includes lactotroph, somatotroph, thyrotroph, and mammosomatotroph adenomas. PIT-1 staining is interpreted alongside hormone markers, clinical findings, and imaging results to help classify the tumour accurately.
Yes. Clinical history is required for the IHC marker - PIT-1 test and must be submitted along with the specimen. The pathologist uses your clinical details, including symptoms, hormone levels, and imaging findings, to interpret the staining pattern accurately and produce a meaningful report.
IHC Marker - PIT-1 Test
