Antigen retrieval immunohistochemistry and molecular morphology in the year 2001.

The impact of the antigen retrieval (AR) technique upon diagnostic immunohistochemistry (IHC) and upon research has been demonstrated by numerous of articles and more than a dozen major reviews. The specific aim of this survey of the field is to examine potential new approaches to retrieval of nucleic acid and protein from archival paraffin-embedded tissue for molecular biology-based diagnostic procedures that form the basis of the emerging field of molecular morphology. Any new approach must incorporate the principles of standardization and improved reproducibility. The ultimate goal will be to understand the mechanisms of fixation (by formalin) and "unfixation" (by AR). In the interim, the diligent application of practical procedures that have been shown to be tried and true is the least that we must demand from ourselves and our laboratories.