Immunocytochemical techniques and advances in dermatopathology

Immunocytochemistry as an investigative tool in the field of histopathology has evolved into the most widespread, diagnostically useful technique in the assessment of disease states. Although as a procedure it has been employed for over 50 years, the most significant innovative advances have occurred over the past 10–15 years, with the advent of heat-mediated antigen-retrieval methodologies, improved antigen-detection systems, signal-amplification procedures, double labelling and the development of semi- and fully automated immunostaining machines. All of these developments have found a niche within the field of dermatopathology at both the light and electron microscope levels. Optimizing the amount of useful information possible from any given sample should be the ideal goal.