Abstract
We demonstrated α-fetoprotein (AFP) -positive cells in the late as well as in the early stage of 3′-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzen (3′-Me-DAB) hepatocarcinogenesis, using immunocytochemical procedures with improved fixation and processing of tissue sections. The superior value of periodate-lysine-4% paraformaldehyde (PLP) as the fixative in the demonstration of AFP-positive cells and the usefulness of cryostat sections in floating immunoreactive processing are discussed. It is suggested that AFP-positive cells are new cell populations in the evolution of hepatocellular carcinoma.
