Soluble TCR molecules and methods of use

A method for detecting cells or tissue comprising a peptide antigen presented on cells or tissue in the context of an MHC complex, wherein the peptide antigen is an endogenous human p53 antigen, the method comprising:

• a) contacting the cells or tissue with at least one denaturing agent, wherein the denaturing agent is sufficient to fix the cells or tissue, thereby fixing the cells or tissue;
• b) contacting the fixed cells or tissue that have not been manipulated to express artificial levels of the peptide antigen with at least one soluble single chain TCR(scTCR) molecule under conditions that form a specific binding complex between the presented peptide antigen and the soluble scTCR, wherein the soluble scTCR comprises the Vα and Vβ domains of SEQ ID NO:
• 16, and wherein the soluble single chain TCR molecule is a monomer;
• c) washing the cells or tissue under conditions appropriate to remove any soluble scTCR molecule not bound to the presented peptide antigen;
• and
• d) detecting the specific binding complex as being indicative of cells or tissue comprising the presented peptide antigen.