Detection of antibodies against virally-induced tumor-associated antigens by mixed hemadsorption.

Abstract

AbstractAntigens were solubilized and attached to glass slides. The coated glass slides were then used to detect relevant antibodies by a mixed hemadsorption technique. These studies focused primarily on solubilizing the Epstein‐Barr virus‐associated antigens VCA, EA and MA. Well‐characterized, discordant sera from patients with Burkitt's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma were then used to evaluate the antigenicity of slides coated with the solubilized antigenic extracts. Good correlations were observed between titers of these sera for VCA, EA and MA as determined by immunofluorescence methods and by mixed hemadsorption. Most antigenic extracts could be stored directly or as coated‐glass slides for many months with only moderate decreases in antigenicity. Antibodies to Epstein‐Barr‐associated nuclear antigen (EBNA) were not detectable in these studies.