Use of Antibodies to Intermediate Filaments in the Characterization of Human Tumors

Abstract

One of the most important discriminating factors in the choice of a cancer therapy is the identity of the tumor. Only after the origin of a neoplastic outgrowth has been established, can the treatment schedule be optimized. A variety of cytologic, histologic, histochemical, and electron microscopy techniques are routinely in use for the morphological characterization and identification of a tumor. However, some of these techniques are time consuming and may therefore cause a considerable diagnostic delay. Therefore, especially in cases where conventional light microscopy techniques provide insufficient information as to the nature and/or origin of the tumor (usually anaplastic variants), techniques are required that offer extra information, preferably in a relatively short period of time. Here, we present data on the development of a technique in which malignant tumors and tumor metastases can be identified by means of antisera to cytoplasmic intermediate-filament (IF) proteins. These filaments form an essential part...