title: Validation of immunocytochemistry as a morphomolecular technique.
abstract: Immunocytochemistry (ICC) is a long-established means for clinical laboratories to investigate material for which it is difficult to obtain tissue samples. Unlike immunohistochemistry (IHC), the cells do not retain surrounding tissue environment/architecture. This can be of benefit in that fixation is often immediate and rapid, protecting the cells. Although fixation is frequently observed as the main preanalytic variable of test quality, all cytology preanalytic factors should be identified and controlled. In addition, the validation of ICC should take the same rigorous approach that other molecular pathology techniques follow. A three-step validation protocol is offered here. The end result is a comprehensive, morphomolecular approach to ICC, with an emphasis on therapeutic ICC. Cancer Cytopathol 2016;124:540-5. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
authors.affiliation: Northern Ireland Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust and Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Perry
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maxwell
authors.affiliation: Northern Ireland Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust and Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salto-Tellez
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011786:Quality Control
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: immunocytochemistry; molecular diagnostics; morphomolecular; test validation