Study summary · research use only
Monoclonal antibodies to human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and their use in two-site binding enzyme immunoassays
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This laboratory study produced a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies against human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and its isolated beta-subunit (beta-HCG). The abstract reports the antibodies were divided into HCG-specific and cross-reactive groups; some reacted with luteinizing hormone (LH), or with HCG, LH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Based on binding specificities and reciprocal inhibition in two-site binding enzyme immunoassays, 13 epitopes (including the 3 hidden epitopes detectable only on free non-associated beta-HCG) were distinguished. The authors describe using selected antibody combinations as clinical assays for monitoring patients with HCG- and/or beta-HCG-producing tumors before and after therapy.
Abstract
A panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies (MABs) was produced against human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and its isolated beta-subunit (beta-HCG). According to their binding specificities the antibodies could be divided into HCG-specific and cross-reactive MABs. The HCG-specific antibodies reacted with antigenic sites on holo-HCG or holo-HCG and beta-HCG, or exclusively with the non-associated beta-HCG chain. The cross-reactive antibodies reacted with either HCG and luteinizing hormone (LH) or with HCG, LH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). According to the binding specificities of the MABs and their reciprocal inhibition detected in two-site binding enzyme immunoassays (EIA), altogether 13 epitopes (including the 3 hidden epitopes detectable only on free non-associated beta-HCG) were distinguished by the antibodies described here. Antibody combinations resulting in most effective and specific HCG- or beta-HCG-determination were used as clinical assays and proved their reliability and correctness for monitoring patients with HCG- and/or beta-HCG-producing tumors before and after therapy.
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