A SPECIFIC AND RAPID RECEPTOR ASSAY FOR SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA OF HUMAN ESOPHAGUS

A specific radioreceptor assay, for squamous-cell carcinoma of the hum an esophagus, using 2G3 monoclonal antibody, has been developed for th e first time. In this assay a new mathematical parameter of the Scatch ard plot has been introduced for the correct measure of binding capaci ty (BC(cm) = x cos alpha). This is the perpendicular distance from the origin to the Scatchard plot line. It is always a positive quantity a nd is directly proportional to both the x and y intercepts for express ing the binding capacity. The assay is highly sensitive and can be use d to differentiate various types of esophageal tumors such as squamous -cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, ulcerative growth and also a benign g rowth. BC(cm) significantly varies in the case of squamous-cell carcin oma tumors compared to adenocarcinoma and other types of tumor of the human esophagus. The assay can be completed in about 4 h and it may be used as a clinical diagnostic test.