title: Immunohistochemistry in the era of personalised medicine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Immunohistochemistry (IHC) plays a central role in the histopathological classification of diseases, including cancer. More recently, the importance of immunohistochemical staining is increasing. IHC usage in diagnostics is invaluable; however, the genetic and therapeutic significance of biomarker immunostaining has become equally relevant.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In this article, we would like to analyse the three distinct roles of IHC and review their individual impacts on modern diagnostic pathology: (1) diagnostic IHC; (2) genetic IHC and (3) therapeutic IHC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus, we will characterise the different analytical processes that are required in the three approaches to IHC usage stated above, as well as the clinical significance and overall importance in patient management. This will allow us to hypothesise on the most appropriate laboratory environment and detection methods for the future.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Pathology Programme, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: Clare Margaret
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: McCourt
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salto-Tellez
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D000068818:Cetuximab; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D057089:Pathology, Molecular; D010340:Pathology, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D057285:Precision Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000068818:Cetuximab; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011987:Receptors, Steroid