[Application of anti-AFP monoclonal antibodies to diagnosis].

Twenty-two hybridoma clones which produced monoclonal antibodies to human alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were established by the fusion of myeloma cells and spleen cells of mice immunized with AFP. Hybridomas were transplanted i.p. and antibodies were purified from the ascites of tumor-bearing mice. Antibodies were used for the purification of AFP by immuno-affinity chromatography and increased amounts of AFP were isolated in higher yields. Antibodies were used in the AFP radioimmunoassays and successful result was obtained when used in the sandwich technique. Antibodies were also tested in the radioimmunodetection of AFP-producing tumors and positive images of tumors were obtained in several cases.