Viewing apoptosis through a 'TUNEL'.

Apoptosis has an important role in carcinogenesis and cancer treatment. The end result of this complex pathway is the formation of apoptotic bodies. These can be difficult to quantify accurately, but quantitation is important if we wish to study this process. Several techniques are available which can help. 'TUNEL' is discussed, with its potential drawbacks, and newer antibody techniques, such as M30 and caspase 3, are then reviewed. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.