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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells
Published on: June 7, 2019
Ultrarapid staining for cutaneous melanoma: study and protocol
Daniel A Davis1, Kevin A Kurtz, Robert A Robinson
1Department of Dermatology, University of Arkansas for the Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 52205, USA. davisdaniela@uams.edu
Background:
Immunohistochemistry has revolutionized the use of frozen sections for the removal of melanoma.
Objective:
Two studies were performed to address the best and fastest way to stain melanocytes in frozen tissue sections.
Materials And Methods:
Fifty-six standing cones were taken from sun-damaged white skin and stained with combinations of anti-S-100, anti-HMB-45, anti-Melan-A, and azure B with appropriate controls.
Results:
Anti-Melan-A was the best immunohistochemical stain. Azure B stains melanin granules metachromatically green and allows differentiation of melanocytes and melanophages. Ultrarapid staining worked as well as rapid staining.
Conclusion:
Dako's EnVision ultrarapid staining protocol and azure B counterstain represent a dramatic improvement and should be considered the easily obtainable histologic standard when excising cutaneous melanoma.
