Antisera to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their application on the detection of chemical carcinogens in blood sera of oncological patients.

Aim: To investigate the cross-reactivity of the hyperimmune antisera of animals (rabbits) and the sera of oncological patients to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of a similar chemical structure.

Methods: Reactions of antibodies with haptens have been estimated by non-competitive and competitive ELISA with synthesized protein conjugates of PAHs as a coating antigene.

Results: All the model rabbit antisera have been stated to react with anthracene, chrysene, pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene and benz(a)anthracene irrespective of the hapten used to immunize animals. The cross-reactivity of serum antibodies to all five PAHs has been found in blood samples of oncological patients.

Conclusion: It is recommended to use the conjugates of anthracene, chrysene and pyrene for detecting human antibodies to more dangerous environmental carcinogens--benzo(a)pyrene and benz(a)anthracene.