New monoclonal antibodies recognizing epidermal differentiation-associated keratins in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Keratin 10 expression in carcinoma of the vulva |
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Authors: | D Ivanyi A Ansink E Groeneveld P C Hageman W J Mooi A P Heintz |
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Institution: | Division of Tumour Biology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam. |
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Abstract: | Two monoclonal antibodies (MAb) specific for differentiation-related epidermal keratins have been developed. They represent specific molecular probes for different stages of epidermal differentiation. Antibody DE-K10 is chain-specific for cytokeratin polypeptide no. 10 (56.5 kD) expressed in all suprabasal layers of the epidermis. Antibody DE-SCK is specific for modified stratum corneum keratins and thus represents a marker for the terminal step of epidermal differentiation. Since the epitopes identified by both antibodies are preserved in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections, these antibodies can be used for retrospective studies of differentiation in various pathological processes. We have used antibody DE-K10 to study the cytokeratin 10 expression in 26 stage II or III vulvar squamous cell carcinomas. Preliminary data suggest an increased risk of recurrence in cytokeratin 10 negative tumours. |
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Keywords: | Cytokeratins differentiation squamous carcinoma of the vulva monoclonal antibodies effective in formalin-fixed paraffin sections |
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