Alpha Naphthyl Acetate Esterase Staining Method

**Semantic type:** Laboratory Procedure

**Definition:** A cytochemical staining technique used to detect alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) activity. Nonspecific esterase stains with acetate substrate and is mainly used in the determination of lineage in acute myelogenous leukemia. Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (M7) blasts stain strongly when the acetate substrate is used.

**Synonyms:** - Alpha Naphthyl Acetate Esterase Stain