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A Rapid Method for Multispectral Fluorescence Imaging of Frozen Tissue Sections
Published on: March 30, 2020
Use of monoclonal antibodies to detect specific mutations in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections
Zhenying Guo1, Ricardo V Lloyd2
1Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China, 310022; University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Madison, WI, 53726.
Abstract:
Treatment options for cancer patients have changed considerably in recent years with the introduction of variable gene mutation and targeted therapy. Although molecular testing for gene mutations remains the gold standard in assessing biopsy tissues for specific mutations and for subsequent therapy, recent developments have led to the use of highly specific monoclonal antibodies to detect mutated genes in tissue sections. Some of the early developments included antibodies against EGFR, but have expanded to include antibodies detecting mutated RAS, BRAF, and SDHx. Immunohistochemical detection of gene mutations using mutation-specific antibodies has the advantage of allowing the detailed visualization of protein distributions in situ and provides direct visualization of the heterogeneity in the distribution of targeted proteins. This review will discuss the use of selected mainly monoclonal antibodies targeting specific mutated molecules and indicate how the detection of these proteins can be used for chemotherapeutic purposes in targeting mutated genes.
Insights
Monoclonal antibodies offer a new way to detect gene mutations in cancer tissues. This immunohistochemical method aids in targeted cancer therapy by visualizing mutated protein distribution.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Cancer treatment has evolved with targeted therapies based on gene mutations.
- Molecular testing is standard, but immunohistochemistry (IHC) using antibodies is emerging.
- Antibodies can detect specific mutated proteins like EGFR, RAS, BRAF, and SDHx in tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the use of monoclonal antibodies for detecting specific gene mutations in cancer.
- To highlight the advantages of IHC for visualizing mutated protein distribution in situ.
- To discuss the application of these methods in guiding cancer chemotherapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on monoclonal antibodies targeting mutated genes (EGFR, RAS, BRAF, SDHx).
- Discussion of immunohistochemical techniques for detecting these mutated proteins in tissue sections.
- Analysis of how in situ protein visualization aids in understanding treatment targets.
Main Results:
- Monoclonal antibodies enable specific detection of mutated proteins in tissue sections.
- IHC provides detailed visualization of protein distribution and intratumoral heterogeneity.
- This approach complements traditional molecular testing for targeted therapy selection.
Conclusions:
- Mutation-specific antibodies are valuable tools for cancer diagnosis and treatment planning.
- IHC offers superior spatial information on target protein expression compared to other methods.
- Targeted detection of mutated genes via IHC can enhance the efficacy of cancer chemotherapies.
