MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES AND THEIR ROLE IN MODULATION OF THE IMMUNE-RESPONSE

Clinical studies in patients having been vaccinated with immunogenic g lycoproteins suggest that a monoclonal antibody response is important in helping to induce cell mediated tumor destruction. Such a monoclona l response was noted to characterize the reaction to several different immunogenic antigens administered in an adjuvant setting. The resulti ng cell mediated reaction appeared to be associated with concomittant antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and an anti-idiot ype monoclonal response. Both 31.1 and 33.28 protein derived colon car cinoma monoclonal antibodies have been found to be capable of turning on natural killer (NK) cell activity as part of ADCC. In vivo studies with specific antigens to induce an anti-tumor response have suggested that the mechanism of tumor cell destruction is complex and associate d with T-cell activation, anti-idiotype production, and complement bin ding on the tumor membrane. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.