Hybrid cell lines were prepared by the fusion of BALB/c myeloma NS-1 cells with the lymphocytes of BALB/c mice that were immunized with partially purified androgen receptor (AR) from human prostates. One of the clones, 5F4, was chosen for detailed specificity analysis. The avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) procedure was used for immunohistochemical staining of the 5F4 monoclonal antibody. In human benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) tissues, cytoplasm and nuclei were stained. Of 16 prostatic cancer tissues, 2 were composed of AR-positive cells exclusively, 7 were composed of AR-negative cells, and 7 contained both AR-positive cells and AR-negative cells (mixed). Of nine cases that were AR-positive or mixed, seven cases responded to the hormone therapy, and two were not determined for responsiveness because the patients died early of other diseases. Of seven AR-negative cases, all but one inestimable case had no response to the hormone therapy. Immunohistochemical analysis of AR by using the monoclonal antibody 5F4, was a useful tool for determining androgen dependency of prostatic cancers.