[Demonstration of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in histological sections]

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) is a unique DNA-polymerase which is restricted to a few organs (thymus, bone marrow and blood). Therefore, the enzyme is suited for the role of a tumor marker in all other organs. The immunohistological demonstration, hitherto, was mainly hampered by the lack of potent and specific antibodies and by the readiness of the enzyme to diffuse. Now, these problems are solved. The immunohistological demonstration of TdT can be used to classify acute leukemias and lymphoblastic non-Hodgkin-lymphomas of children and to early recognize relapse situations.