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Radioimmune assay for the diagnosis of human cancer
Author(s) -
Egan Marianne L.,
Coligan John E.,
Todd Charles W.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197410)34:8+<1504::aid-cncr2820340823>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - medicine , cancer , radioimmunoassay , pathology , oncology
Radioimmune assay techniques based on tumor‐associated antigens are finding application in the diagnosis of human cancer. There are two basic forms of radioimmune assay. One is based on complete saturation of the antibodies with antigen, and the other is based on a progressive filling of the antibody binding sites. The specificity and sensitivity of any assay depend primarily on the antiserum used. For high sensitivity a high binding constant for the antibody is important. The preparation of a suitable antiserum is described. Specificity in a radioimmune assay is never absolute, but may be improved through knowledge of the structure of the antigen. These principles are illustrated with the carcinoembryonic antigen.