Mouse Monoclonal ALK/p80 Antibody

The ALK/p80 antibody is a crucial tool in diagnostic pathology and cancer research, primarily targeting the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein. ALK is a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. Its oncogenic potential was first identified in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), where a chromosomal translocation t(2;5)(p23;q35) generates the NPM-ALK fusion protein, leading to constitutive ALK activation. This discovery spurred research into ALK's role in other cancers, notably non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), where EML4-ALK rearrangements drive tumorigenesis. The term "p80" historically refers to the 80 kDa protein product of NPM-ALK detected by early monoclonal antibodies. However, modern ALK/p80 antibodies broadly recognize both wild-type and fusion ALK proteins across formalin-fixed tissues. Clinically, ALK/p80 immunohistochemistry (IHC) is used alongside FISH and PCR to diagnose ALK-driven cancers, guiding targeted therapy with ALK inhibitors like crizotinib and alectinib. These therapies have significantly improved outcomes in ALK-positive NSCLC, underscoring the antibody's diagnostic importance. While ALK expression is normally restricted to neural tissues, its ectopic activation in tumors makes ALK/p80 a valuable biomarker for both diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring.