IMMUNOTHERAPY WITH ANTIBODIES TO THE EGF RECEPTOR

A series of rat monoclonal antibodies (MABs) has been generated agains t the extracellular domain of the receptor for EGF which block the bin ding of EGF and TGF alpha to the receptor and inhibit the growth in vi tro of a range of carcinoma cell lines that over-express the receptor for EGF. Some of these antibodies were able also to induce the complet e regression of xenografts of EGFR-over-expressing tumours when treatm ent was started, either at the time of tumour inoculation or later whe n the tumours were established. The most effective of these antibodies was ICR62, which was also able to activate host immune effector funct ions. We conclude that antibodies which block growth-factor-ligand int eraction can have a profound influence on the proliferative capacity o f tumour cells in vivo and may have useful clinical application. (C) 1 994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.