Principles of immunological diagnostic tests for cancers

Abstract

Many of the immunological methods currently used in laboratory testing for cancer are based on the use of antibodies, including many diagnostic and prognostic tests, as well as some tests intended to inform treatment decisions. Unlocking the genetics of antibodies (Abs) has allowed researchers to manipulate their structure and harness the immense array of possible specificities granted to the immune system by evolution. The platforms that rely on Abs for detection are numerous and include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), flow cytometry, radioimmunoassay (RIA), immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry (IHC/ICC), and Ab arrays. Here, we will provide a brief background on the ways in which the immunoglobulin protein can be manipulated and used as a tool for the detection of targets of interest. In addition, we will describe the principles behind many of the immunological methods used in testing in patients with cancer.