Comparison of five antimelanoma antibodies for identification of melanocytic cells on tissue sections in routine dermatopathology

Five antimelanoma antibodies used on routinely processed tissue sections have been compared for their value in identifying both benign and malignant melanocytic lesions. Antibodies to S-100 protein, NKIC3, HMB45, HMB50, and FKH1 were used. S-100 protein was polyclonal, but the others were monoclonal. The tissue was fixed in neutral buffered formalin and included sections from 15 primary melanomas, 5 secondary melanomas, 10 dysplastic nevi, and 10 compound nevi. Antibodies HMB45 and NKIC3 showed the greatest degree of sensitivity.