Cross-reactivity of a commercial chemiluminescence immunoassay for human chorionic gonadotropin with the free β-subunit |
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Authors: | P Luppa G Spttl B Saller D Neumeier K Mann |
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Institution: | P. Luppa,G. Spöttl,B. Saller,D. Neumeier,K. Mann |
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Abstract: | An enhanced chemiluminescence immunoassay for the determination of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in specimens from oncology patients has been assessed with respect to its cross-reactivity with the free HCG ββ-subunit (HCG-β). The assay, standardized against the First International Reference Preparation 75/537, had a crossreactivity with the free β-subunit of 625% (molar basis). Therefore this assay achieves high sensitivity for the detection of either intact HCG or free HCG-β in serum of patients with seminomatous or nonseminomatous testicular cancers. Results of both assays, the in-house immunoradiometric assay (+ HCG-β) and the Amerlite HCG-60 assay, showed a close correlation (R =0.854?0.960) when serum samples from tumour patients were analyzed. Moreover, the content of free β-subunit determined in a specific HCG-β assay, could be quantitatively measured in the enhanced chemiluminescence immunoassay. Thus, this assay is suitable for oncology use, but also highlights the limitations of measuring HCG in serum samples. |
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Keywords: | Amerlite HCG testicular cancer |
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