This assay employs the competitive inhibition enzyme immunoassay technique. An antibody specific for Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (a2M) has  been  pre-coated  onto  a  microplate.  A  competitive  inhibition  reaction  is  launched  between Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) labeled Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (a2M) and unlabeled Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (a2M) (Standards or samples) with the pre-coated antibody specific for Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (a2M). After incubation the unbound conjugate is washed off. The amount of bound HRP conjugate is reverse proportional to the concentration of  Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (a2M) in the sample. After addition of the substrate solution, the intensity of color developed is reverse proportional to the concentration of  Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (a2M) in the sample.