Novel method for estimating the labeling index in clinical specimens with the use of immunoperoxidase-labeled

The labeling index determined by [3H]thymidine autoradiography in cells from clinical specimens was compared with the percentage of the cells showing nuclear reactivity to immunoperoxidase-labeled antinucleoside antibodies. This nuclear immunoreactivity is specific for denatured or single-stranded DNA's and is detectable almost exclusively during DNA synthesis. Results with the two methods showed excellent agreement. The new method allowed rapid accurate assessment of S phase in the tumor cells from freshly isolated aspirated specimens as well as frozen sections, suggesting general applicability to estimation of the labeling index without autoradiography.