Use

CD117 (cKIT) is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase expressed in diverse tissues such as mast cells, melanocytes, basal skin cells, breast glandular epithelium, dermal sweat glands, esophageal glands, and interstitial cells of testicular and ovarian tissue. Aberrant cKit expression is implicated in myeloid leukemias and is observed in various solid tumors including gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), melanoma, breast carcinoma, and small cell lung carcinoma. The C‑Kit pharmDX™ IHC assay aids in the differential diagnosis of GIST, and accurate assessment of CD117 protein expression is increasingly critical in guiding clinical management and therapy selection, including treatment with imatinib mesylate (Gleevec®).