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HMB-45 is a monoclonal antibody that reacts against an antigen present in melanocytic tumors such as melanomas, and stands for Human Melanoma Black. It is used in anatomic pathology as a marker for such tumors. The specific antigen recognized by HMB-45 is now known as Pmel 17.
HMB-45 was discovered by Drs. Allen M. Gown and Arthur M. Vogel in 1986. [1] The antibody was generated to an extract of melanoma.
In a study to determine diagnostic usefulness of specific antibodies used to identify melanoma, HMB-45 had a 92% sensitivity when used to identify melanoma. The antibody also reacts positively against junctional nevus cells and fetal melanocytes. [2]
Despite this relatively high sensitivity—HMB-45 does have its drawbacks. HMB-45 can be detected in only 50-70% of melanomas. HMB-45 does not react well against intradermal nevi, normal adult melanocytes, spindle cell melanomas and desmoplastic melanomas. HMB-45 is nonreactive with almost all non-melanoma human malignancies, with the exception of rare tumors showing evidence of melanogenesis (e.g., pigmented schwannoma, clear cell sarcoma) or tumors associated with tuberous sclerosis complex (angiomyolipoma and lymphangiomyoma). [3]
HMB-45 should be stored at 4 degree Celsius, where the antibody will be stable for up to 2 months without any loss of quality.
When conducting an immunocytochemical studies to identify melanoma for scientific or clinical studies, scientist and medical professionals can also use S-100, Melan-A, Tyrosinase, and Mitf to identify tumors.
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