title: Evaluation and clinical application of a two-site immunoradiometric assay for alpha-1-foetoprotein using readily available reagents.
abstract: The development and evaluation in routine clinical practice of a simple, rapid, high-throughput, immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) for alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) in serum and amniotic fluid is described. The assay uses readily available reagents; a radioiodinated mouse monoclonal antibody produced by the authors and the immunoglobulin G (IgG) fraction of a polyclonal sheep anti-human-AFP serum covalently linked to Sepharose CL-4B. Both antibodies are distributed by the Scottish Antibody Production Unit (Law Hospital, Carluke). The results of an extensive comparative trial between the IRMA and a radioimmunoassay (RIA) are presented. A high-dose 'hook' effect is not a problem in this system. Quantitative recovery was obtained, independent of the assay diluent. The IRMA has high sensitivity and a wide working range. Improved assay precision allowed a clinically significant change in the intervention limits.
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D008297:Male; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000175:diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins