Radioimmunoassay of human chorionic gonadotropin alpha and human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunits with own antisera
Talas, M.
Acta Universitatis Palackianae Olomucensis Facultatis Medicae 113: 11-34
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-2514 Accession: 006253634
Immunization of rabbits were performed to prepare our own anti hCG .beta. serum. The best antiserum B-3-III was verified in the most suitable system of 125I-hCG-anti hCG .beta. serum B-3-III (1:40,000), standard hCG .beta. MRC. In a similar way, by immunization of rabbits, we prepared our own anti-hCG.alpha. serum. The antiserum A-3-I was estimated as the most suitable. It was used in the system of 125I-hCG.alpha. (G.D.R.) - anti hCG.alpha. A-3-I (1:20,000) and hCG.alpha. MRC as standard. Both the systems described above were also used to assess the levels of the hCG.alpha. and hCG.beta. subunits in the course of pregnancy. Comparison was made of the values of the hCG subunits obtained using Polish kits with those obtained using our RIA technique. In comparison with our classical RIA, Polish kits yielded 2.58 times higher values for hCG.alpha., but 6.16 times lower values for hCG.beta. In the follow-up of hCG and its subunits in testicular tumours, hCG and hCG.beta., but not hCG.alpha., were found increased in nonseminomatous tumors, while in seminomas only the hCG.beta. subunit was found increased. I find it of importance that I could follow up hCG and its subunits in patients treated for choriocarcinoma or mole. In cases of the above diagnosis, so significant for the clinician, I was not entirely dependent on the import of foreign kits, but I could assess the levels of hCG and its subunits using our own antibodies. It has been found out that the levels of hCG and hCG.beta. decrease in the course of treatment. hCG.alpha. was found increasing in the course of treatment in one patient in whom the metastatic spread into the brain already preceded the fatal outcome of the disease. By assessment of hCG and its subunits in the cerebrospinal fluid I have proved the fact that in the presence of brain metastases of trophoblastic disease the cerebrospinal fluid values of hCG and its subunits are increased. The prognosis worsens with higher ratios of hCG and its subunits in the cerebrospinal fluid.