SELECTIVE APOPTOSIS OF NEOPLASTIC-CELLS BY THE HLA-DR-SPECIFIC MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY

The human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule-spe cific monoclonal antibody (mAb) 8D1 can induce apoptosis of tumor cell s expressing HLA-DR molecules on their surface. This effect is associa ted with a cross-linking of HLA-DR, since monovalent Fab fragments of 8D1 cannot mediate cytotoxicity unless they are anchored to a solid su pport. Anti-neoplastic activity of 8D1 is highly selective, i.e. the m Ab affects neither the viability nor the function of non-malignant HLA -DR+ cells. These findings raise the possibility of a selective antibo dy-based anti-tumor therapy of class II positive blood cell neoplasm. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.