Diagnosis and therapy of chronic hepatic infections e.g. liver cancer - uses antigens from transformed hepatic B virus cells and their antibodies i.e. HBs, HBc, HBe antigens and polymerase-DNA

Antigens found in cells transformed by the hepatitis B virus, other than the structural antigens of hepatitis B virus, and designated as antigen HBs, antigen HBc, antigen HBe and polymerase-DNA are new. These antigens are characterised in that serum obtd. from subjects suffering from prim. liver cancer contains antibodies which act specifically against the antigens. The antigen may be isolated from (1) daughter cells of human or animal prim. liver cancer; (2) cells transformed by hepatitis B virus and (3) animal or human metastases, autopsy or hepatic biopsy remains. Antibodies specifically active against the antigens may be obtd. from (1) serum of patients suffering from prim. liver cancer; (2) serum of animals immunised with the antigens; (3) monoclonal prods. obtd. by cellular fusion of human or animal immunocytes, immunised with the antigen and the tumoural immunocytes or (4) monoclonal prods. obtd. by viral transformation of antibody producing cells. The antigens and their antibodies are used in therapapy and diagnosis of chronic hepatic infections (prim. liver cancer). The antigens or antibodies may be coupled to enzymes, radioactive isotopes or inert particles for use in diagnosis or therapy e.g. coupling with an alkaline phosphatase or with technetium 99M (Tc 99M). L'INVENTION CONCERNE LA DETECTION ET LA CARACTERISATION D'UN ANTIGENE HEPATO-CELLULAIRE HBV-T AG ASSOCIE A LA TRANSFORMATION TUMORALE DES HEPATOCYTES PAR LE VIRUS DE L'HEPATITE B.ELLE CONCERNE EGALEMENT LA DETECTION DES ANTICORPS SPECIFIQUES DE CET ANTIGENE TUMORAL ANTI-HBV-T.LE DOMAINE D'APPLICATION DE L'INVENTION EST DEFINI PAR L'UTILISATION DE L'ANTIGENE HBV-T ET DES ANTICORPS CORRESPONDANTS POUR LA MISE AU POINT DE TECHNIQUES DIAGNOSTIQUES ET THERAPEUTIQUES DU CANCER PRIMITIF DU FOIE.