A recombinant partial protein sequence (within amino acids 50-250) from the human protein was used as the immunogen for the c-Kit antibody.
This mAb recognizes a protein of 145kDa, identified as CD117/p145kit. It is found on a wide variety of tumor cells including follicular and papillary carcinoma of thyroid, adenocarcinomas from endometrium, lung, ovary, pancreas, and breast as well as malignant melanoma, endodermal sinus tumor, and small cell carcinoma. However, anti-CD117 has been particularly useful in differentiating gastrointestinal stromal tumors from Kaposi s sarcoma, tumors of smooth muscle origin, fibromatosis, and neural tumors of the GI tract. Anti-CD117 is also useful in recognizing myeloblasts in bone marrow biopsy and clot section.
