CURRENT STAGE OF STANDARDIZATION OF MEASUREMENTS OF SPECIFIC POLYPEPTIDES AND PROTEINS DISCUSSED IN LIGHT OF STEPS NEEDED TOWARDS A COMPREHENSIVE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

We present a standardization model for the measurement of specific pol ypeptides and proteins, which is based on an Integrated development of all important elements of a reference measurement system. Generally, the model is in line with other current recommendations. However, it p uts special emphasis on the definition of the analyte and on the role of reference methods for verification of the standardization process b y measurement of patient specimens. Further, we discuss the needs for its implementation in the routine laboratory. In the light of this mod el, we investigate the current stage of standardization of routine met hods for enzymes, peptide hormones, proteins, apolipoproteins, glycoha emoglobin, and tumour markers.