Mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) BCD-F9, which recognizes an unknown antigen
found on the surface of many tumor cells, was used to screen a phage displ
ay library expressing random peptide decamers. The phage that was selected
encoded the unique sequence GRRPGGWWMR, representing the peptide capable of
binding to the BCD-F9 mAb, The peptide was synthesized and found to specif
ically inhibit the binding of mAb to HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells. Alanine mu
tagenesis of the sequence encoding this peptide indicated that three residu
es, PXXWW, were critical for its binding to the BCD-F9 mAb. Polyclonal anti
bodies generated by immunization of rabbits with the synthetic peptide GRRP
GGWWMR (anti-mimotope antiserum or AM-F9) bound specifically to HT-1080 cel
ls and inhibited the binding of the BCD-F9 mAb to these cells, Using an exp
erimental animal model in which CD-1 nude mice are inoculated i.v. with HT-
1080 cells, develop lung metastasis, and die within 30 days, we have shown
that AM-F9 could significantly prolong the life span of these animals. Our
results suggest that a peptide mimotope can potentially be used as a novel
immunotherapy to induce a beneficial antitumor response.