title: Immunodiagnosis of childhood malignancies.
abstract: Immunodiagnosis utilizing immunohistochemical techniques is currently the most commonly utilized and readily available method of ancillary diagnosis in pediatric oncopathology. The methodology comprises relatively simple steps, based on straightforward biologic concepts, and the reagents used are generally well characterized and widely used. The principle of cancer immunodiagnosis is based on the determination of neoplastic lineage using detection of proteins typical of cell differentiation pathways. Methodology sensitivity varies and has become greater with each new generation of tests, but technical draw-backs should be considered to avoid excessive background or nonspecific results. Automated instrumentation offers a degree of accuracy and reproducibility not easily attainable by manual methods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Pathology, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock 72202, USA. ParhamDavidM@exchange.uams.edu
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Parham
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Holt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001360:Avidin / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001710:Biotin / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D001360:Avidin; D001710:Biotin