Cat ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN SPARCL™ Assay | AFP-SP-8

INTRODUCTION

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels are elevated in humans and dogs suffering from liver cancer, liver disease and some non-hepatic cancers, allowing AFP to be used as a biomarker to monitor disease progression. It is likely that AFP can also be used as a cancer biomarker in cats. In studies at Life Diagnostics, we found levels as high as 500 ng/ml in serum of cats with cancer. Levels in serum from healthy cats were undetectable

PRINCIPLE OF THE ASSAY

The AFP SPARCL™a (Spatial Proximity Analyte Reagent Capture Luminescence)1 assay uses HRP and acridan conjugates of two different AFP antibodies. When the HRP and acridan conjugates bind to AFP they are brought into molecular proximity. With the addition of hydrogen peroxide, HRP catalyzes oxidation of proximal acridan molecules causing a flash of chemiluminescence. Acridan conjugated antibodies distant from HRP produce no signal. This principle allows the development of a homogeneous assay that allows rapid measurement of AFP. The HRP and acridan conjugated antibodies are mixed with standards and diluted samples in wells of the white 96-well SPARCL™ plateb. After incubation for 30 minutes on a shaker at 25°C and 150 rpm, the plate is placed into a luminometer. Trigger solution containing hydrogen peroxide is injected into each well and luminescence is immediately measured. The concentration of AFP is proportional to luminescence and is derived from a standard curve.

MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Materials provided with the kit:

• Anti-AFP HRP conjugate Store ≤ -70°C

• Anti-AFP acridan conjugate Store ≤ -70°C

• AFP stock Store ≤ -70°C

• Diluent; CSD50-1, 2 x 50 ml

• Trigger solution; TS7-1, 7 ml

• White SPARCL™ plate (12 x 8-well)

• Clear untreated 96-well plate

Materials required but not provided:

• Precision pipettes and tips

• Polypropylene microcentrifuge tubes

• Vortex mixer

• Plate incubator/shaker

• Luminometer capable of simultaneous injection/measurement

• Graphing software

STORAGE

Store the HRP conjugate, acridan conjugate and CRP stock at -70°C (they may be stored at -20°Cfor one week). The remainder of the kit should be stored at 2-8°C. The SPARCL™ plate should be kept in a sealed bag with desiccant and antioxidant. The kit will remain stable for at least six months from the date of purchase, provided that the components are stored as described above.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Please take the time to completely read all instructions before starting your assay. Contact us if you need clarification.

2. All reagents used in the assay should be allowed to reach room temperature (25°C) before use.

3. It is important that standards and samples be added to the SPARCL™ plate quickly. If testing large numbers of samples, rather than pipetting standards and samples directly into the white SPARCL™ plate using a single channel pipettor, we recommend the following. First, pipette an excess volume of standards and samples into appropriate wells of the clear 96- well plate. Then use an 8- or 12-channel multipipettor to quickly and efficiently transfer 50 ml aliquots to the appropriate wells of the white SPARCL™ plate. The wells of the clear plate hold a maximum volume of 300 ml.

4. Follow the sequence of events below when running the assay.