HMB-45

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

HMB-45 is a monoclonal antibody that reacts against an antigen present in melanocytic tumors such as melanomas, and stands for Human Melanoma Black. It is used in anatomic pathology as a marker for such tumors. The specific antigen recognized by HMB-45 is now known as Pmel 17.

History[edit]

HMB-45 was discovered by Drs. Allen M. Gown and Arthur M. Vogel in 1986.[1] The antibody was generated to an extract of melanoma.

Cancer diagnostics[edit]

In a study to determine diagnostic usefulness of specific antibodies used to identify melanoma, HMB-45 had a 92% sensitivity when used to identify melanoma. The antibody also reacts positively against junctional nevus cells and fetal melanocytes.[2]

Despite this relatively high sensitivity—HMB-45 does have its drawbacks. HMB-45 can be detected in only 50-70% of melanomas. HMB-45 does not react well against intradermal nevi, normal adult melanocytes, spindle cell melanomas and desmoplastic melanomas. HMB-45 is nonreactive with almost all non-melanoma human malignancies, with the exception of rare tumors showing evidence of melanogenesis (e.g., pigmented schwannoma, clear cell sarcoma) or tumors associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (angiomyolipoma and lymphangiomyoma).[3]

Storage[edit]

HMB-45 should be stored at 4 degree Celsius. At 4 degrees Celsius the antibody will be stable for up to 2 months without any loss of quality. For best results it should be used before the expiration date.

Alternatives[edit]

When conducting an immunocytochemical studies to identify melanoma for scientific or clinical studies, scientist and medical professionals can also use S-100, Melan-A, Tyrosinase, and Mitf to identify tumors.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Gown AM, Vogel AM, Hoak D, Gough F, McNutt MA (1986). "Monoclonal antibodies specific for melanocytic tumors distinguish subpopulations of melanocytes". Am. J. Pathol. 123 (2): 195–203. PMC 1888307. PMID 3518473.
  2. ^ Ramgolam, K; Lauriol, J; Lalou, C; Lauden, L; Michel, L; de la Grange, P; Khatib, AM; Aoudjit, F; Charron, D; Alcaide-Loridan, C; Al-Daccak, R (2011). "Melanoma spheroids grown under neural crest cell conditions are highly plastic migratory/invasive tumor cells endowed with immunomodulator function". PLOS ONE. 6 (4): e18784. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0018784. PMC 3078142. PMID 21526207.
  3. ^ Mahmood, M. N.; Lee, M. W.; Linden, M. D.; Nathanson, S. D.; Hornyak, T. J.; Zarbo, R. J. (2002). "Diagnostic Value of HMB-45 and Anti-Melan a Staining of Sentinel Lymph Nodes with Isolated Positive Cells". Modern Pathology. 15 (12): 1288–1293. doi:10.1097/01.MP.0000037313.33138.DF. PMID 12481009.

External links[edit]