Monoclonal antibodies to human intermediate filament proteins. III. Analysis of tumors.

A panel of monoclonal antibodies to human intermediate filament proteins was tested on an unselected series of 246 neoplasms. The antibody panel includes two different anti-cytokeratin antibodies, an anti-vimentin antibody, and an anti-neurofilament antibody (Gown and Vogel, Am J Pathol 114:309, 1984). The studies were done on Carnoy's or methacarn-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. When used as a panel, they can unequivocally distinguish carcinomas, melanomas, and lymphomas. All carcinomas react with at least one of the anti-cytokeratin antibodies, and carcinomas can be subtyped based upon the pattern of reactivity with the two anti-cytokeratin antibodies. Melanomas react only with the anti-vimentin antibody, and lymphomas react with none of the antibodies. Neural and neuroendocrine tumors can be identified with the anti-neurofilament antibody. A minority of neoplasms, including lymphomas, seminomas, and some sarcomas, do not react with any of the antibodies. These antibodies are reliable diagnostic reagents that are useful in distinguishing different categories of human tumors.