Box 1.

Common tests performed by immunoassays

All endocrine tests (eg pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, parathyroid, pancreatic, gonadal, hCG, GI hormones) Tumour markers, eg PSA, β-hCG, thyroglobulin, CEA Cardiac biomarkers such as troponins and myoglobin Rheumatoid factor Allergy and allergen-specific IgE Vitamin B12/folic acid Specific serum proteins such as Ferritin, α-fetoprotein, sex hormone binding globulin Specific antibodies against bacteria/viruses, eg hepatitis, HIV, CMV, rubella, syphilis Anti-endocrine gland antibodies, eg thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin, intrinsic factor, adrenal Therapeutic drug monitoring such as digoxin, gentamicin, cyclosporine Drugs of abuse, eg cannabis and opiates

Although this list does not include all immunoassay tests, it highlights the wide range of analyses predominantly performed by this technology

CEA = carcinembryonic antigen, CMV = cytomegalovirus; GI = gastrointestinal hormones; hCG = human chorionic gonadotrophin; PSA = prostate-specific antigen