Radioimmunoelectrophoretic binding assay for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen.

A new radioimmunoassay (RIA) method has been de scribed. This radioimmunoelectrophoretic binding (REB) technique has been applied to the carcinoembryonic antigen system. In contrast to the RIA method with the use of perchloric acid extraction, in the REB technique the require ment for lengthy and possibly biologically degrading pro cedures on relatively large volumes of sera has been eliminated. Only one-five hundredth as much serum is required by REB than is required by RIA, and the assay can be completed in 2 hr rather than in 5 days. While the sensitivity of REB in the detection of serum carcinoembryonic antigen is similar, there appears to be a different but related specificity, compared to the RIA method.