S-100 protein remains a practical marker for melanocytic and other tumours

S-100 protein, extracted from bovine brain, is the first described of the modern generation of marker molecules for melanocytic tumours. Despite the observation that many different types of cells express S-100 protein, detection of the molecule in tumour cells in appropriate clinical and pathological circumstances is a widely used and effective adjunct to the determination that a tumour is melanocytic. Antibodies to S-100 protein are best deployed as part of a package that includes antibodies to other melanoma-associated epitopes (HMB-45, NKI-C3/Beteb), cytokeratins and common leukocyte antigen. Antibodies to S-100 protein may also increase the accuracy of melanoma staging and permit detection of small numbers of metastatic tumour cells that are not detectable by conventional histology. Future applications will probably include the wider use of antibodies to the S-100 protein monomers (alpha and beta) and the detection and quantification of S-100 protein in body fluids and tissues.