[Urine examination for tumor cells using quantitative immunocytochemistry. Antibodies to a CEA-like antigen]

A total of 39 specimens of urine were tested for tumor cells using a monoclonal antibody (mab 486p 3/12, "medaquic"). Of these specimens, 18 were obtained from patients with histologically confirmed transitional cell carcinoma. All these specimens were also examined morphologically for the presence of atypical cells, and 25 specimens using a monoclonal antibody against CEA. The "medaquic" test showed a 77.8% sensitivity for detecting transitional cell carcinoma (conventional cytology: 61.1%). The percentage of false-positives with the "medaquic" test was 33.3% (2/6): the results of conventional cytology were similar; two GI carcinomas were not detected by "medaquic". The antigen for the mab 486p 3/12 is a CEA-like glycoprotein. The "medaquic" test was positive appreciably more often than was the CEA antibody reaction.