Immunoassays for prostate specific antigen
AssigneeAbbott Laboratories
InventorsBarry L. Dowell, Debra B. Alexander, Susan B. O'Morchoe, Carol A. King, Allan H. Smith
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the field of cancer immunoassay. Specifically, a new immunoassay method for prostate specific antigen (PSA) is presented. Also presented is a complex which resembles a complex of PSA and .alpha.-antichymotrypsin (ACT) that can be used as a calibrator or control in an immunoassay for PSA. Further presented is a method for fractionating polyclonal antibodies, to PSA, into those which bind epitopes that are masked by the binding of PSA to ACT and those which do not bind such epitopes.
Claims5
A complex comprising Analyte cross-linked to .alpha.HE, wherein the Analyte is capable of existing as a free Analyte or bound to a Binding Molecule to form a Analyte-Binding Molecule Complex which has a non-hidden epitope which is available for antibody binding and wherein .alpha.HE is an antibody to Analyte which can bind free Analyte but not the Analyte-Binding Molecule complex.
A kit for conducting an assay for Analyte in a sample, wherein the Analyte can exist in the sample as a free Analyte or bound to a Binding Molecule to form a complex of Analyte-Binding Molecule Complex, the kit comprising the following:
- (a) a first container containing a capture antibody specific for the Analyte:
- (b) a second container containing a probe antibody specific for the Analyte;
- and
- (c) a third container containing a complex of the Analyte bound to an antibody which can bind the free Analyte but not the Analyte-Binding Molecule Complex, said antibody Analyte complex being suitable for use as a calibrator or control in an immunoassay and consequently being soluble in an assay buffer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.