A relatively sensitive, specifiC., and photostable method for the detection of cytokeratin of cancer cells via conjugation with cadmium telluride quantum dots(CdTe QDs) was described. Water soluble CdTe QDs were conjugated to anti-pan-cytokeratin(CK) monoclonal antibody(MAb) through coupling reagent [1-ethy1-3-(3-dimethylamino propyl)carbodiimide, EDC] and the conjugates were purified by dialysis. The expression of pan CK protein in HepG2 cells was observed by immunocytochemistry and direct immunofluorescence via QDs-Ab conjugates respectively. Fluorescence intensity and photostability of QDs were compared with those of FITC(fiuorescein isothiocyanate). The results show that the QDs-Ab conjugates recognized specifically pan CK protein in HepG2 cells. Compared with FITC., CdTe QDs had higher brightness and photostability without obvious photobleaching under continuous exciting light illumination for 30 min and after the placement at room temperature for 3 d. The results indicate that conjugates of CdTe quantum dot with anti-pan CK MAb can be used for labeling cancer cells derived from epithelial tissues, which provides the basis for the detection of circulating tumor cells(CTCs).