The LHM2 antibody is a very good marker for melanoma (>90% stained). LHM2 also stains basal cell carcinomas and subpopulation of basal keratinocytes. LHM2 can be used as a diagnostic panel for immunopathology of malignant melanoma and potential candidates for immunoimaging and immunotherapy of disseminated melanoma. The originators of this antibody report that the MCSP is a cell surface marker specific for epidermal stem cells (J. Invest. Dermatol. in press). Potential applications of the LHM2 antibody include use for separation/isolation of epidermal stem cells, detection of stem cells in skin biopsies or epithelial cell cultures and optimisation of culture conditions to retain epidermal stem cell population in in vitro cultures.