This course outlines the laboratory principles and practices involved in the clinical use of IHC staining on cytology cell blocks. This course does not cover the preparation or processing of the cell blocks, just the performance of IHC staining on FFPE cell block sections. The content provides insights into the limitations of IHC staining on cell blocks; the effect of alcohol based fixatives on IHC staining and the use of appropriate control material. There is also important guidance on the validation and quality monitoring required when diagnostic antibodies and Companion Diagnostic (CDx) assays are used on sections from alcohol fixed cell blocks
