Cytokeratin Pan-OSCAR

Anti-Cytokeratin OSCAR is well-suited to distinguish Epithelial Carcinoma from Non-epithelial malignancies and is used to aid Epithelial Tumor classification. Anti-Cytokeratin OSCAR identifies a number of bands corresponding to cytokeratins 7, 8, 18 and 19 (additional bands – cytokeratins – may also be detected). This antibody has been used to characterize the source of various neoplasms and to study the distribution of keratin-containing cells in epithelia during normal development and during the development of epithelial neoplasms.

In normal tissues, OSCAR is reactive with most epithelial types tested including bile ducts and hepatocytes in liver, bladder epithelium, breast ducts, bronchial epithelium, endometrium, follicular dendritic cells of lymph node and tonsil, intestinal epithelium of the stomach, duodenum, ileum, colon, rectum, pancreas, ovarian epithelium, pancreatic acini, pituitary acini, pneumocytes, prostate, thyroid and skin. In tumors, OSCAR is reactive with most Carcinomas including Breast, TCC, RCC, Lung, Endometrial CA, Prostate CA, Ovarian CA, HCC, Colorectal CA, Stomach CA and Thyroid CA. It is negative in certain normal tissues including brain, lymphocytes and all cells of hematolymphoid origin, muscle, brain, nerves, endothelium and in certain tumors including Melanoma, Sarcoma, Lymphoma, PNET/Ewing’s and GIST. This antibody has shown high sensitivity in recognizing epithelial cells and carcinomas.

Cytokeratin OSCAR is a mouse monoclonal antibody derived from cell culture supernatant that is concentrated, dialyzed, filter sterilized and diluted in buffer pH 7.5, containing BSA and sodium azide as a preservative.

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1. Cut and mount 3-4 micron formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues on positive charged slides.
2. Air dry for 2 hours at 58° C.
3. Deparaffinize, dehydrate and rehydrate tissues.
4. Subject tissues to heat epitope retrieval using a suitable retrieval solution such as ImmunoDNA Retriever with Citrate (BSB 0020-BSB 0023) or EDTA (BSB 0030-BSB 0033).
5. Any of three heating methods may be used:
   • Electric Pressure Cooker
     Place standoff rack at base of pressure cooker. Add 1-2 inches of distilled water to the pressure cooker and turn heat to high, and incubate for 15 minutes. Open and immediately transfer slides to room temperature.
   • Water Bath Method
     Place tissues/slides in a pre-warmed staining dish or coplin jar containing the ImmunoDNA Retriever with Citrate or EDTA in a water bath set at 95°-99° C. Incubate for 30-60 minutes.
   • Conventional Steamer Method
     Place tissues/slides in a pre-warmed staining dish or coplin jar containing the ImmunoDNA Retriever with Citrate or EDTA in a Steamer, cover and steam for 30-60 minutes.
6. After heat treatment, transfer slides in ImmunoDNA Retriever with Citrate or EDTA to room temperature and let stand for 15-20 minutes.
7. Wash slides with IHC wash buffer or DI water.
8. Continue IHC staining protocol.