Abstract: The present invention is concerned with novel monoclonal antibodies specific for an antigenic site on a protein characteristic of a human basal cell and a malignant squamous cell. The antibodies do not bind to mesenchymal cells such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells. The protein on the cell surface which binds to one of the antibodies has a molecular weight of about 120,000 as determined by one dimensional gel electrophoresis. The antibodies find use in diagnostic methods such as the detection of malignant cells, e.g., the detection of residual tumor cells in skin subjected to microscopically-controlled surgery.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method for determining the presence of a malignant condition at a locus of interest. An exfoliative cell specimen obtained from the locus is contacted with an antibody specific for an antigenic site that is usually only found in the specimen when a malignant condition is present. The contact is made under conditions for detectable binding of the antibody to such antigenic site. After contact, the presence of binding of the antibody to the antigenic site is observed. The binding of the antibody is related to the presence of a malignant condition at the locus. The invention finds utility, for example, in the detection of cervical carcinoma.