Test Price
550 AED✅ Home Collection Available
Immunohistochemistry Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) Test in UAE | 550 AED | DHA Licensed
Executive Summary & Core Metrics
Executive Summary
The GFAP IHC test is a high-specificity neuropathological assay performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue blocks to detect glial fibrillary acidic protein expression — the gold-standard intermediate filament marker for astrocytic differentiation. This test definitively distinguishes primary glial neoplasms (astrocytomas, glioblastomas, ependymomas) from metastatic carcinomas, lymphomas, and other non-glial CNS lesions, enabling precision neuro-oncology treatment planning aligned with the WHO Classification of CNS Tumors.
Test Overview & Methodology
The Immunohistochemistry GFAP test is a definitive neuropathological assay that detects glial fibrillary acidic protein — the hallmark intermediate filament of astrocytic cells — within paraffin-embedded tumor tissue to confirm glial lineage in brain neoplasms. In the UAE, this DHA-governed test is essential for differentiating primary gliomas from metastatic lesions, guiding targeted therapy selection, and establishing molecular subtyping per the WHO CNS Tumor Classification.
| Parameter | Our GFAP IHC Test | Closest Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Methodology | IHC with Monoclonal GFAP Antibody (Clone GA-5), DAB Chromogen Detection | Standard Polyclonal IHC with Variable Antibody Sensitivity |
| Diagnostic Precision | 99.9% Sensitivity — ISO 9001:2015 Validated (Cert: INT/EGQ/2509DA/3139) | Variable; Non-ISO Labs May Lack Standardized Scoring Protocols |
| Turnaround Time | FFPE Block: 5 Days | Tissue Biopsy: 5 Days | Large Complex Tissue: 7 Days | 7–14 Days; Extended Wait for Referral Laboratories |
| Sample Logistics | Room Temperature Shipping; Formalin-Saline or FFPE Block Accepted via Secure Medical Courier | Often Requires Frozen Section — Dry Ice Shipping at Additional Cost |
| Clinical Support | Post-Test Telephonic Guidance with DHA-Licensed Pathologist | Report-Only; Limited Interpretative Support |
Physician Insight & Safety Protocols
Mr. Prabhakar Reddy Kalathoor — Specialist Diagnostic Radiology | DHA Registration ID: 61713011
"GFAP immunohistochemistry remains the cornerstone of glial tumor confirmation, yet the stain must be integrated with histomorphology, radiologic findings, and the full clinical narrative. A positive GFAP signal confirms astrocytic lineage but does not independently assign tumor grade — correlation with H&E morphology and Ki-67 proliferation index is mandatory. I encourage every patient and referring clinician to treat this result as one critical element within a comprehensive neuro-oncologic diagnostic framework."
Clinical Medication Advisory
Important Medication Safety Information
Do not discontinue prescribed medication without consulting your doctor. Patients undergoing GFAP diagnostic workup are often on essential corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone), antiepileptic drugs (e.g., levetiracetam, valproate), or concurrent chemotherapeutic agents. Abrupt cessation of any prescribed neurological or oncological medication prior to or following biopsy can precipitate serious adverse events including status epilepticus, acute adrenal insufficiency, or increased intracranial pressure. All medication adjustments must be supervised exclusively by your treating neuro-oncologist or neurologist.
Safety Exclusion Criteria & Emergency Red Flags
Do Not Proceed With Testing If:
- Inadequate or necrotic tissue sample (insufficient viable tumor cells for IHC staining)
- Non-formalin-fixed tissue submitted (alternative fixatives invalidate GFAP antigen retrieval)
- Missing or incomplete histopathology report and clinical history documentation
- Unlabeled or mislabeled specimen container — chain of custody violation per UAE health data regulations
Seek Immediate Medical Attention For:
- Acute onset severe headache with nausea, vomiting, or altered consciousness (signs of raised ICP)
- New-onset seizures, focal neurological deficits, or sudden visual disturbance
- Post-biopsy wound infection: erythema, purulent discharge, or fever above 38.3°C
- Sudden deterioration in speech, mobility, or cognitive function
Patient FAQ & Clinical Guidance
1. What is the GFAP immunohistochemistry test and when is it clinically indicated?
The GFAP immunohistochemistry test is a specialized tissue-staining procedure that detects glial fibrillary acidic protein in tumor biopsy samples to confirm astrocytic or glial cell origin. It is clinically indicated when a brain tumor is identified on MRI or CT imaging and the neurosurgeon or oncologist needs to determine whether the lesion is a primary glioma (such as an astrocytoma, glioblastoma, or ependymoma) versus a metastatic carcinoma, lymphoma, or other non-glial neoplasm. The test also plays a vital role in subtyping gliomas for targeted therapy selection, including IDH-mutant and IDH-wildtype stratification per the WHO CNS Tumor Classification. In the UAE, GFAP IHC is routinely ordered by neuro-oncologists, surgical pathologists, and neurologists at DHA-licensed facilities and requires a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block obtained via stereotactic biopsy or open surgical resection.
2. How should the tumor tissue sample be prepared and what documentation is required?
Tumor tissue must be submitted in 10% formal-saline solution or as a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded block shipped at room temperature with a copy of the histopathology report, biopsy site details, and complete clinical history. The specimen can be transported at ambient room temperature — no cold chain or dry ice is necessary for FFPE blocks, simplifying logistics for UAE patients. The accompanying documentation is mandatory: the referring physician must provide the original histopathology report (if prior biopsy was performed), the precise anatomical site of biopsy, and a comprehensive clinical history including symptom onset, radiological findings, and any prior oncological treatments. Incomplete documentation will result in specimen rejection per UAE Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 Concerning the Use of Information and Communication Technology in Health Fields, which mandates complete and accurate patient data for all diagnostic pathology services. Secure Medical Courier Solid Tissue Specimen Retrieval is available for archival block transfer from hospitals within the UAE.
3. How long does the GFAP result take and what does a positive or negative result mean?
Results are available within 5 working days for FFPE tissue blocks and 7 days for large or complex tissue specimens; a positive result indicates GFAP protein presence in tumor cells confirming glial origin. A positive result means the tumor demonstrates astrocytic (glial) differentiation, supporting diagnoses such as astrocytoma, glioblastoma, or ependymoma. This result must be integrated with routine H&E histology and the Ki-67 proliferation index to determine tumor grade and guide treatment planning. A negative result does not entirely exclude a glial neoplasm — some high-grade tumors may lose GFAP expression due to cellular dedifferentiation — and your physician may recommend additional immunostains such as OLIG2, IDH1-R132H, or ATRX to reach a final diagnosis. After report issuance, our consultant pathologist provides complimentary telephonic guidance to discuss results and outline next steps.
UAE Regulatory & Data Privacy Adherence
DNA Labs UAE operates under the regulatory oversight of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA Facility License No. 1143). All diagnostic data and patient health information are processed in strict accordance with:
- Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL) — governing the collection, storage, and transfer of personal health data across UAE jurisdictions.
- Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 Concerning the Use of Information and Communication Technology in Health Fields — mandating secure electronic health records, data integrity, and patient consent protocols for all diagnostic laboratory services.
- Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability — establishing the legal standards for clinical testing safety, patient consent, and professional accountability in diagnostic procedures.
All GFAP IHC reports are issued with full chain-of-custody documentation, encrypted electronic delivery, and secure archival in compliance with UAE federal health information regulations. Patients retain the right to access, rectify, and request deletion of their personal data under the PDPL framework.
Clinical & Logistical Metadata
| Test Name | GFAP (Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein) Immunohistochemistry |
| Price (AED) | 550 |
| Turnaround Time | 5 Days (FFPE Block) | 5 Days (Tissue Biopsy) | 7 Days (Large Complex Tissue) |
| Sample Type / Matrix | Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) Tissue Block / Archival Solid Tissue Specimen |
| Methodology Used | Immunohistochemistry (IHC) with Monoclonal GFAP Antibody (Clone GA-5), DAB Chromogen Detection, ISO 9001:2015 Certified |
| ICD-10-CM Code | C71.9 (Malignant neoplasm of brain, unspecified) |
| LOINC Code | 94474-4 (Glial fibrillary acidic protein [Presence] in Tissue by Immunohistochemistry) |
| DHA Facility License & Laboratory Address | License No: 1143 | Premises 105, Floor 1, Building 33, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, UAE | DNA Labs UAE |
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