Immunoassays for cancer-associated carbohydrate antigens

The advent of hybridoma technology and the availability of virtually unlimited amounts of specific high affinity monoclonal antibodies to desired antigens have ushered in a new revolution in immunoassay methodology. An ever increasing number of monoclonal antibody-based immunoassays are replacing those employing polyclonal antisera. A host of hitherto unknown tumor-associated antigens have also been identified due to the development of unique monoclonal antibodies. The exquisite specificities and affinities of monoclonals has led to the development of sensitive and reproducible immunoassays for various analytes, especially tumor-associated antigens. Most tumor-associated antigens are glycoconjugates and among these many are blood group antigens and their derivatives, found both as glycoproteins and glycolipids. The development and clinical applications of new immunoassays for cancer-associated carbohydrate antigens in the last decade has had a major positive impact on the management of cancer patients.