Synthetic peptides for diagnostic use.

Synthetic peptides representing relevant B-cell epitopes are, potentially, ideal antigens to be used in diagnostic assays because of their superior properties with respect to quality control as compared to those of biologically derived molecules and the much higher specificity that sometimes can be obtained. It is thus not a surprise than an increasing number of synthetic peptide based diagnostic assays are being developed or already are commercially available. In this report methods to define useful synthetic peptides, and diagnostic systems that are under development or on the market are discussed.