STRUCTURAL AND ENZYMATIC ASSAYS ON GLYCOCOMPOUNDS, THEIR USE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER, KITS FOR USE IN THE ASSAYS AND A DEVICE FOR TAKING A SAMPLE OF SECRETION VIA A BODY OPENING

摘要

Altered saccharide structures on glycoproteins, glycolipids, poly- and oligosaccharides are detected and quantified in a body fluid by contacting the body fluid with a first ligand binding to all saccharide structures and with a second ligand which either binds only to a specifically altered terminal portion of the saccharide structures or only to the normal terminal portion, one of said ligands being immobilized on a solid phase, and the other being labelled. A glycosyltransferase enzyme producing such altered saccharide structures is detected and quantified in a body fluid or a cell or tissue homogenate by similar use of an immobilized sugar chain which is an acceptor substrate for the enzyme and a nucleotide-sugar which is a donor substrate for the enzyme. A device for taking a sample of secretion via a body opening and for storing and processing the sample comprises a container (14) and a rod (2) which is provided at one end portion thereof with an absorbing material (8) and at the other end portion slidably extends through a cover means (12) of the container (14). Various kits for use in the above assays are also described.