PERSPECTIVES OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES FOR DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF HEAD AND NECK TUMORS

Monoclonal antibodies (mabs) are potentially powerful tools for the de tection and treatment of cancer. To date, only a limited number of mab s are available to head and neck cancer. We produced 5 different group s of mabs to head and neck cancer. These mabs were characterized for t heir reactivity tumour and non-tumour tissues. Furthermore, biochemica l elucidation of recognized antigens was provided. In animal studies t he effectiveness of mabs for diagnoses and therapy of cancer is clearl y demonstrated. The first results of a clinical study for the detectio n of head and neck cancer with mabs are shown. Finally, the future of mabs in clinical oncology is discussed.