HMB-45

Background

HMB45 is a melanoma associated antigen, which is mainly expressed in immature melanocytes. It is expressed in activated and neoplastic melanocytes and other neural crest-derived tumors, in normal breast epithelium and some normal sweat glands, as well as in sweat gland derived tumors, angiomyolipomas, and occasionally in carcinomas. It is more specific than S-100 or NKI/ C3 in judging malignant melanoma, but the sensitivity is less than 90%, especially in metastatic melanoma.