Abstract: This invention provides an antibody which specifically binds to hLH?cf without cross-reacting with hLH, hLH? or hCG?cf. In an embodiment, the monoclonal antibody is designated B505. In a further embodiment, the hybridoma cell line producing the monoclonal antibody B 505 is designated ATCC Accession No. 12000. This invention provides different uses of the antibodies. Finally, this invention provides a method for determining the amount of hLH?cf or hLH?cf-related molecule in a sample.

Abstract: This invention provides an antibody which specifically binds to hLH&bgr;cf without cross-reacting with hLH, hLH&bgr; or hCG&bgr;cf. In an embodiment, the monoclonal antibody is designated B505. In a further embodiment, the hybridoma cell line producing the monoclonal antibody B 505 is designated ATCC Accession No. 12000. This invention provides different uses of the antibodies. Finally, this invention provides a method for determining the amount of hLH&bgr;cf or hLH&bgr;cf-related molecule in a sample.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for detecting the presence of human malignant cells in a sample of tumor cells; determining whether a tumor present in a human subject is malignant; obtaining an enriched population of live human malignant cells; determining the amount of intact luteinizing hormone in a sample; determining the ovulatory stage of a subject; determining the amount of intact follicle stimulating hormone in a sample; determining the ovulatory stage of a subject; determining the amount of intact human chorionic gonadotropin in a sample; determining whether a subject is pregnant; determining the ovulatory stage of a subject; determining the amount of free &agr; subunit of human luteinizing hormone in a sample; determining whether a subject has a malignant tumor; determining the amount of nicked human chorionic gonadotropin in a sample; and determining the likelihood of a fetus's being afflicted with Down's syndrome.

Abstract: This invention provides an antibody which specifically binds to hLH.beta.cf without cross-reacting with hLH, hLH.beta. or hCG.beta.cf. In an embodiment, the monoclonal antibody is designated B505. In a further embodiment, the hybridoma cell line producing the monoclonal antibody B 505 is designated ATCC Accession No.12000. This invention provides different uses of the antibodies. Finally, this invention provides a method for determining the amount of hLH.beta.cf or hLH.beta.cf-related molecule in a sample.

Abstract: This invention provides a quantitative assay for determining the amount of a biologically active ligand selected from the group consisting of human chorionic gonadotropin and luetinizing hormone present in a sample comprising contacting the sample with both the receptor to which the ligand naturally binds in order to effect its biologicaly activity and a monoclonal antibody directed to the ligand or to a complex of the ligand and the receptor so as to form a complex of the ligand bound to both the receptor, at the site to which the ligand naturally binds to the receptor, and the monoclonal antibody. In the complex so formed, either the receptor or the monoclonal antibody is labeled with a detectable marker and a determination is made of the amount of labeled receptor or of labeled monoclonal antibody bound to the ligand or the amount of labeled receptor or of labeled monoclonal antibody not bound to the ligand, or both such amounts.

Abstract: An immunoassay for detecting and measuring hCG in a sample includes an antibody directed to the carboxy terminal portion of the .beta. subunit of hCG and a monoclonal antibody directed to a determinant on hCG at a locus sufficiently remote from the carboxy terminal portion of the .beta. subunit of hCG that both antibodies can simultaneously bind to hCG, wherein at least one of the antibodies is delectable when both are bound to hCG.In a presently preferred embodiment, an immunoassay for hCG or hCB.beta. in urine includes a purified, labeled or detectable serum-derived antibody directed to the carboxy-terminal portion of the .beta. subunit of hCG and a matrix-bound monoclonal antibody directed to a locus on the .beta. subunit sufficiently remote from the carboxy-terminal portion that both antibodies can simultaneously bind to hCG or hCG.beta..

Abstract: Mixtures of monoclonal antibodies which contain effective assaying amounts of each of at least two monoclonal antibodies that bind to different antigenic sites on the antigen and are capable under appropriate conditions of binding simultaneously to an antigen are useful in enhanced sensitivity assays for the antigen. By utilizing such mixtures in diagnostic assays for important antigens such as the polypeptide human chorionic gonadotropin enhanced sensitivity can be achieved as compared with assays employing individual monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: Mixtures of monoclonal antibodies which contain effective assaying amounts of each of at least two monoclonal antibodies that bind to different antigenic sites on the antigen and are capable under appropriate conditions of binding simultaneously to an antigen are useful in enhanced sensitivity assays for the antigen. By utilizing such mixtures in diagnostic assays for important antigens such as the polypeptide human chorionic gonadotropin enhanced sensitivity can be achieved as compared with assays employing individual monoclonal antibodies.