Patent ID: 7468254

Claim:
A binding essay to determine a presence of cells which express the melanoma-associated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan epitope which specifically binds to the isolated monoclonal antibody produced from the hybridome deposited with the ATCC as PTA-5643, or an antigen binding fragment thereof comprising: providing a cell sample; providing an isolated monoclonal antibody of antigen binding fragment thereof which binds to the same melanoma-associated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan epitope as the monoclonal antibody produced from said hybridoma; contacting said isolated monoclonal antibody of antigen binding fragment thereof with said cell sample; and determining binding of said isolated monoclonal antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof with said cell sample; whereby the presence of cells which express said melanoma-associated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan epitope is determined.