METHOD FOR TESTING FOR THE PRESENCE OF METASTATIC TUMOR CELLS

摘要

A method of testing for the presence of tumor cells which are metastatic based upon the presence of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) is described. In the test a protein which selectively binds the HLA is used to determine the presence of excess HLA which is a characteristic of the tumor cells. The preferred protein is a bacterial enterotoxin, preferably the enterotoxin A (SEA) produced by Staphylococcus aureus.