Lymphocyte fluorescence polarization measurements with the cellscan system: application to the SCM cancer test.

The SCM (Structuredness of Cytoplasmic Matrix) cancer test, a procedure based on detection of differences in lymphocyte activation between individuals with and without cancer, has remained controversial with inconsistent results reported by different authors. As originally described, the test includes two technically demanding steps, the first a lymphocyte separation procedure and the second a series of fluorescence polarization measurements. The Cellscan, a high-precision static cytometer system has been configured to perform the SCM test. The apparatus facilitates the polarization measurements and can analyze cells separated using simpler procedures than were originally described. Using methods and diagnostic criteria adapted for the Cellscan system, the SCM test correctly classified > 90% of patients with cancer and > 90% of individuals without cancer.