NOVEL LEUKEMIA MARKERS

Using synthetic peptide or recombinant protein as immunising antigens we have produced monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antisera directe d against targets of particular interest in leukaemia diagnosis. In th is way we have prepared reagents which recognise all T or all B lympho cytes in routinely fixed paraffin sections which are unique in this re spect. We have also produced monoclonal antibodies to molecules potent ially involved in specific neoplastic transformations, implicated by v irtue of the involvement of their genes in chromosomal defects in thes e neoplasms. In particular, we have produced antibodies recognising bc l-2, involved in follicular lymphoma, tal-1, involved in T-cell acute leukaemias and HRX involved in a variety of hematologic disorders. The application of these reagents to diagnosis has so far proved useful. In addition their use outside the field of leukaemia diagnosis has pro ved to be even more important in some cases.