Simultaneous multianalysis for tumor markers by antibody fragments microarray system

It is often necessary to measure a spectrum of tumor markers in oncology. We have developed a simultaneous multiplexing immunoassay method to determine six tumor markers: -fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoma embryonic antigen (CEA), beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA 125), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) and carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3). F(ab′)₂ fragments of six capture antibodies were prepared and printed as microarrays on silylated slides to perform sandwich immunoassays with the use of an avidin–biotin system for amplified fluorescence signals. Each antigen with different concentrations was detected to assemble its calibration curve, and combinations of different markers were determined to examine the specificity of simultaneous detection based on the F(ab′)₂ microarrays. Some clinical samples were analyzed to compare with results obtained with the use of immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) method. Wide range calibration curve and its R-value were obtained for each analyte. Calibration curves concentrations were 0–640 μg/l for CEA, AFP and β-HCG, and 0–1280 kU/l for CA 125, CA 19-9 and CA 15-3. The antibody fragments microarray system bears comparison with conventional immunoassays and may find feasible application in measurement of series markers in oncology and other areas of medicine.