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Immunocytochemical method for the detection of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in acute leukemia

Immunzytochemische Methode zum Nachweis von terminaler Desoxynucleotidyl-Transferase bei akuten Leukämien

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Summary

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) has become an important marker for the classification of acute leukemias. Originally detected by a biochemical assay, the presence of this enzyme in leukemia can now be detected by making use of a highly specific antibody and by applying the immunofluorescence method. In this study, an attempt was made to apply the unlabeled peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique for the examination of TdT positive cells. We have optimized this method and have compared the different assays — biochemical, immunofluorescence, and immunocytochemical (PAP) — in ten patients with acute leukemia. The results obtained from all three methods are in accordance with one another, but the PAP method is a further simplification for the detection of TdT in the routine diagnostic of acute leukemias.

Zusammenfassung

Das Enzym „terminale Desoxynucleotidyltransferase“ (TdT) stellt einen wichtigen Marker für die Klassifizierung der Leukämien dar. Ursprünglich wurde dieses Enzym durch einen biochemischen Assay bestimmt. Durch die Entwicklung eines spezifischen Anti-TdT Antikörpers kann das Enzym durch Immunfluoreszenz-Technik nachgewiesen werden. Wir haben diese Methode weiter entwikkelt und die Peroxidase-Antiperoxidase (PAP)-Technik angewandt und optimiert. Bei Patienten mit akuten Leukämien ergab unser Vergleich der Ergebnisse der Bestimmung mit 3 Methoden (biochemisch, immunfluoreszenzoptisch und immunzytochemisch) eine ausgezeichnete Korrelation. Die PAP-Technik bietet außerdem weitere Vorteile: Die Untersuchung auf TdT kann auf Blut- oder Knochenmarkausstrichen mit dem Lichtmikroskop erfolgen. Die Präparate können für Dokumentationszwecke aufbewahrt werden. Gegenfärbungen sind auf demselben Präparat möglich. Mithin eignet sich die PAP-Methode zum TdT-Nachweis für die Routine-Diagnostik der Leukämien.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Med. Univ.-Poliklinik, Hospitalstr. 3, D-6900, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany

    A. D. Ho, V. Helmstädter & W. Hunstein

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  1. A. D. Ho
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  2. V. Helmstädter
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  3. W. Hunstein
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Ho, A.D., Helmstädter, V. & Hunstein, W. Immunocytochemical method for the detection of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in acute leukemia. Klin Wochenschr 60, 451–455 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01720359

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01720359

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