Additive immunotherapy of gastric cancer using antibody-induced apoptosis

Background: SC-1 is a human monoclonal antibody specifically directed again st a tumorspecific antigen on human gastric cancer. The effect of this anti body is mediated by induction of apoptosis via a membrane-linked tumorspeci fic receptor, Immunhistochemically SC-1 reacts with approximately 80% of di ffuse-type cancers and 30% of intestinal-type carcinomas. Methods: 20 patients which in preoperative biopsy demonstrated the SC-1 rec eptor on their tumors were treated with SC-1 (20 mg) 48 h preoperatively. Results: After gastrectomy and lymphadenectony a significant induction of a poptotic activity (18/20) was measured as compared to preoperative biopsies and a significant regression of tumor mass could be determined histopathol ogically (12/20). Conclusion: Thus application of antibodies with biological activity similar to SC-1 might present a completely new type of adjuvant cancer therapy.