LYMPHOCYTE FLUORESCENCE POLARIZATION MEASUREMENTS WITH THE CELLSCAN SYSTEM - APPLICATION TO THE SCM CANCER TEST

The SCM (Structuredness of Cytoplasmic Matrix) cancer test, a procedur e based on detection of differences in lymphocyte activation between i ndividuals with and without cancer, has remained controversial, with i nconsistent results reported by different authors, As originally descr ibed, the test includes two technically demanding steps, the first a l ymphocyte separation procedure and the second a series of fluorescence polarization measurements. The Cellscan, a high-precision static cyto meter system, has been configured to perform the SCM test. The apparat us facilitates the polarization measurements and can analyze cells sep arated using simpler procedures than were originally described, Using methods and diagnostic criteria adapted for the Cellscan system, the S CM test correctly classified >90% of patients with cancer and >90% of individuals without cancer. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.