NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) is common in solid tumors. Now, researchers have discovered how a human anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody acts against tumor growth.
In the October 1 issue of The Journal of Immunology, Dr. Wim K. Blecker of Genmab BV in Utrecht, The Netherlands, and colleagues note that the antibody, mAb 2F8, was selected from a panel of fully humanized anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibodies generated in mice. It was chosen on the basis of its performance in functional in vitro assays.
In athymic mice with A431 tumor xenografts, mAb 2F8 had “potent antitumor effects,” the authors report.
When they analyzed the tumors from treated mice, the researchers identified two therapeutic mechanisms for the treatment’s effect. The first of these was blocking of epidermal growth factor receptor, which, they say, “is most effective at complete receptor saturation and therefore requires a relatively high antibody dose.”
The second mechanism, observed with very low receptor occupancy, probably involves “the engagement of immune effector mechanisms, in particular antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity,”
“Taken together,” the authors conclude, “our findings indicate that antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity represents an important effector mechanism of this antibody, which is effective at [a] relatively low dose.”
Source: J Immunol 2004;173:4699-4707. [ Google search on this article ]
MeSH Headings:Membrane Proteins: Receptors, Cell Surface: Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor: Receptors, Gastrointestinal Hormone: Receptors, Growth Factor: Receptors, PeptideCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
