Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Analyzing Tumor and Tissue Distribution of Target Antigen Specific Therapeutic Antibody
Published on: May 16, 2020
Antibody Selection for Cancer Target Validation of FSH-Receptor in Immunohistochemical Settings
Nina Moeker1, Solveig Peters2, Robert Rauchenberger3
1MorphoSys AG, Discovery Alliance and Technologies, 82152 Planegg, Bavaria, Germany. moekern@gmail.com.
Background:
The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-receptor (FSHR) has been reported to be an attractive target for antibody therapy in human cancer. However, divergent immunohistochemical (IHC) findings have been reported for FSHR expression in tumor tissues, which could be due to the specificity of the antibodies used.
Methods:
Three frequently used antibodies (sc-7798, sc-13935, and FSHR323) were validated for their suitability in an immunohistochemical study for FSHR expression in different tissues. As quality control, two potential therapeutic anti-hFSHR Ylanthia® antibodies (Y010913, Y010916) were used. The specificity criteria for selection of antibodies were binding to native hFSHR of different sources, and no binding to non-related proteins. The ability of antibodies to stain the paraffin-embedded Flp-In Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)/FSHR cells was tested after application of different epitope retrieval methods.
Results:
From the five tested anti-hFSHR antibodies, only Y010913, Y010916, and FSHR323 showed specific binding to native, cell-presented hFSHR. Since Ylanthia® antibodies were selected to specifically recognize native FSHR, as required for a potential therapeutic antibody candidate, FSHR323 was the only antibody to detect the receptor in IHC/histochemical settings on transfected cells, and at markedly lower, physiological concentrations (ex., in Sertoli cells of human testes). The pattern of FSH323 staining noticed for ovarian, prostatic, and renal adenocarcinomas indicated that FSHR was expressed mainly in the peripheral tumor blood vessels.
Conclusion:
Of all published IHC antibodies tested, only antibody FSHR323 proved suitable for target validation of hFSHR in an IHC setting for cancer. Our studies could not confirm the previously reported FSHR overexpression in ovarian and prostate cancer cells. Instead, specific overexpression in peripheral tumor blood vessels could be confirmed after thorough validation of the antibodies used.
Insights
Thorough antibody validation revealed FSHR323 as the only suitable antibody for detecting follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) in immunohistochemistry for cancer research. This study did not confirm FSHR overexpression in cancer cells but found it in peripheral tumor blood vessels.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) is a potential target for antibody therapy in human cancers.
- Previous immunohistochemical (IHC) studies reported conflicting findings on FSHR expression in tumor tissues, likely due to antibody specificity issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the suitability of commonly used antibodies for FSHR detection in IHC.
- To identify reliable antibodies for FSHR target validation in cancer research.
Main Methods:
- Validated three commercial antibodies (sc-7798, sc-13935, FSHR323) and two therapeutic anti-hFSHR antibodies (Y010913, Y010916) for IHC.
- Assessed antibody specificity by testing binding to native hFSHR and non-related proteins.
- Evaluated antibody performance on transfected cells using various epitope retrieval methods.
Main Results:
- Only antibodies Y010913, Y010916, and FSHR323 demonstrated specific binding to native hFSHR.
- Antibody FSHR323 was the sole antibody effective for IHC detection of FSHR in transfected cells and at physiological concentrations (e.g., Sertoli cells).
- FSHR323 staining in ovarian, prostate, and renal adenocarcinomas indicated FSHR expression primarily in peripheral tumor blood vessels.
Conclusions:
- Antibody FSHR323 is the only validated antibody for FSHR target validation in IHC cancer studies.
- Previously reported FSHR overexpression in ovarian and prostate cancer cells was not confirmed.
- Specific FSHR overexpression in peripheral tumor blood vessels was confirmed through rigorous antibody validation.
