IHC Marker-SOX-11 Test
About IHC Marker-SOX-11 Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | SOX11 Immunohistochemistry, SOX11 IHC, SRY-box transcription factor 11 marker, SOX11 Immunostain |
| Sample Type | FFPE tissue block (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 3 days |
| Recommended For | Adults of any gender with suspected lymphoma or other B-cell neoplasms |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,920 |
What Is an IHC Marker-SOX-11 Test?
The SOX-11 test is a specialised laboratory test that detects the SOX11 protein in tissue samples. SOX11, short for SRY-box transcription factor 11, is a protein found in the nucleus of certain cells. Doctors order this test mainly to investigate suspected lymphoma, particularly mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), a type of blood cancer affecting B-cells (white blood cells). It is also known as SOX11 Immunohistochemistry or SOX11 IHC, and it uses a tissue biopsy sample rather than blood.
What Does an IHC Marker-SOX-11 Test Measure?
The SOX-11 test procedure uses laboratory antibodies to detect SOX11 protein expression within tissue cells. The result is read as a nuclear staining pattern under a microscope.
| Parameter | What It Detects |
|---|---|
| SOX11 protein expression | Whether SOX11 is present in the nucleus of tissue cells |
| Nuclear staining pattern | Positive staining indicates SOX11 expression; negative staining indicates its absence |
A positive result (nuclear staining present) is seen in approximately 90% of mantle cell lymphoma cases. A negative result suggests either a SOX11-negative subtype of MCL or a different type of lymphoma altogether.
Why Is an IHC Marker-SOX-11 Test Done?
This test is ordered when a doctor suspects a blood cancer or related condition based on a patient's symptoms or earlier test findings. It helps pathologists confirm or rule out specific diagnoses.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms may prompt a doctor to request the SOX-11 test:
- Painless swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
- Persistent fatigue or unexplained weakness
- Unexplained weight loss over a short period
- Night sweats or recurring fever
- Abdominal pain or bloating
- Loss of appetite
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
A pathologist uses this test to help identify several conditions, including:
- Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), including cyclin D1-negative MCL where standard markers are absent
- B-cell and T-cell lymphoblastic leukaemia or lymphoma (cancers of immature white blood cells)
- A proportion of Burkitt lymphomas (a fast-growing blood cancer)
- Hairy cell leukaemia (a rare, slow-growing blood cancer)
- High-grade pulmonary neuroendocrine tumours, such as small cell lung carcinoma
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed for this test. However, there are a few important steps to keep in mind before submitting your sample.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. Since the sample is a tissue block collected during a biopsy or surgery, your eating and drinking habits have no bearing on the result.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Here are some steps to help ensure the process goes smoothly:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test.
- Carry the original histopathology report from your earlier biopsy.
- Ensure your tissue sample is submitted as a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) block, along with the corresponding H&E-stained slide and any unstained slides sectioned from the block.
- Inform your doctor of any prior treatments or surgeries, as these may affect tissue quality.
Step-by-Step Procedure
The SOX-11 test involves tissue collection followed by detailed laboratory processing. Here is what the process involves:
- A biopsy is performed by your doctor to obtain a tissue sample. This may be a fine-needle aspiration, a core needle biopsy, or a surgical biopsy, depending on the suspected condition.
- The collected tissue is fixed in formalin within 30 to 60 minutes of collection and kept in fixative for 18 to 24 hours before being embedded in paraffin wax to preserve it.
- Laboratory technicians cut very thin slices of the tissue block (around 4 to 5 microns thick) and place them on glass slides.
- Antibodies specific to the SOX11 protein are applied to the slides. These antibodies attach to the SOX11 antigen if it is present and produce a visible stain.
- A qualified pathologist examines the stained slides under a microscope to assess whether SOX11 nuclear staining is present or absent.
- Results are interpreted alongside the patient's clinical history and other diagnostic findings before the final report is prepared.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence the reliability of IHC results. Being aware of these helps ensure the best possible outcome:
- Quality and adequacy of the tissue sample submitted
- Proper tissue fixation time (ideally 12 to 24 hours, not exceeding 48 hours)
- Quality of the antibody used in the laboratory
- Expertise of the pathologist interpreting the stained slides
- Whether the FFPE block and accompanying H&E slide are correctly processed and labelled
Understanding Your IHC Marker-SOX-11 Test Results
Results from the SOX11 IHC test are reported as positive or negative based on whether nuclear staining is detected. A pathologist or haematologist will interpret the result alongside your clinical history and other tests. The table below outlines what each result generally indicates.
| SOX11 Expression | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Positive (nuclear staining present) | Seen in approximately 90% of mantle cell lymphoma cases; may also be seen in some lymphoblastic lymphomas, Burkitt lymphomas, and hairy cell leukaemias |
| Negative (no nuclear staining) | May indicate indolent (slow-growing) SOX11-negative MCL or a different lymphoma type such as follicular lymphoma, CLL, or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma |
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
SOX11 positivity can occasionally be seen in conditions other than mantle cell lymphoma. In cases of Burkitt lymphoma, lymphoblastic lymphoma, and hairy cell leukaemia, the test may show a positive result, which could lead to an incorrect initial impression. Results must therefore be reviewed together with other markers and clinical findings.
Cases of SOX11 positivity in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and splenic marginal zone lymphoma have also been reported, which is why pathologists apply strict criteria when interpreting the staining pattern.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
The SOX11 IHC marker is a diagnostic tool used for cancer evaluation; SOX11 expression cannot be altered through lifestyle changes. The following general guidance applies after receiving results:
- Follow all treatment and monitoring recommendations from your oncologist or haematologist.
- Report new or worsening symptoms, such as rapidly enlarging lymph nodes, severe fatigue, or unexplained weight loss, to your doctor without delay.
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments so that your care team can monitor your condition appropriately.
Lupin Diagnostics IHC Marker-SOX-11 Test Price
The SOX-11 test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹1,920. This test requires a tissue biopsy sample submitted to a Lupin Diagnostics centre; home collection is not available for this test.
| 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
Booking the SOX-11 test online at Lupin Diagnostics is straightforward:
- Select the IHC Marker-SOX-11 test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time to submit your FFPE tissue block and accompanying slides.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
The SOX-11 test is used primarily to help diagnose mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), including cases where standard markers such as cyclin D1 are not detected. It also assists in identifying certain other lymphomas and leukaemias. Results are always interpreted alongside other clinical and pathological findings.
A tissue sample is needed for this test, collected through a biopsy procedure at a hospital or clinic. The biopsy may be a fine-needle aspiration, a core needle biopsy, or a surgical biopsy. No blood sample is used. The collected tissue is processed into a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) block, which is then submitted to the laboratory.
No fasting is required. Since this test is performed on a tissue sample rather than blood or urine, your food and drink intake does not affect the result or the procedure.
The report is delivered within 3 days at Lupin Diagnostics. The exact turnaround may depend on the complexity of the case and whether additional markers are being tested alongside SOX11.
A positive result means that SOX11 protein expression has been detected in the tissue. This finding supports a diagnosis of mantle cell lymphoma when seen alongside other markers. However, SOX11 can also be positive in some other conditions, so your doctor will consider all findings together before reaching a conclusion.
Yes. Around 10% of mantle cell lymphoma cases do not express SOX11. These cases tend to follow a more indolent (slow-growing) course and often present without nodal involvement. A negative result does not rule out MCL entirely; other tests will be used to complete the diagnostic picture.
No. This test requires a tissue biopsy sample in the form of an FFPE block or unstained slides, which cannot be collected at home. The sample must be obtained through a biopsy procedure at a hospital or clinic and submitted directly to a Lupin Diagnostics centre.
IHC Marker-SOX-11 Test
