Normal and malignant neural cells: a comprehensive survey of human and murine nervous system markers

Tumor-associated neural markers are finding increased application in diagnostic histopathology and in the development of brain tumor therapy. The major cell-type-specific markers and monoclonal antibodies that identify murine and human neural cells are reviewed in this study. Monoclonal antibodies, raised against fetal and adult neural tissue, neuroectodermal tumor tissue, or cell line immunogens which recognize epitopes on brain tumors are comprehensively described including antigens common to the nervous, hematopoietic, and immune systems. The clinical application of neural cell markers and monoclonal antibodies for the diagnosis, localization, and treatment of neuroectodermal tumors is reviewed.