Serological evaluation of human brain tumors using a microradioisotopic staphylococcal protein A assay

A microradioisotopic staphylococcal protein A assay was applied to the serological evaluation of preoperative sera from brain tumor patients. The assay was performed in Terasaki plates, and a stainless steel punch and multiholed die facilitated sample prearation. Using allogeneic astrocytoma target cells, 15/19 of the brain tumor patients' sera were reactive, compared to 1/21 controls 0/7 nonmalignant brain disease patients' sera were positive, and 5/20 sera from patients with epithelial malignancies. The brain tumor sera were not reactive against a rectal cancer cell line.