ANTI-IDIOTYPE ANTIBODIES TO ANTI-HUMAN HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT-MELANOMA ASSOCIATED ANTIGEN

摘要

This invention discloses two novel anti-idiotypic antibodies, IMelpg1 and MF11-30 and equivalents thereof, as well as, antibody fragments, peptides or antisera capable of reacting with the idiotope of: (a) murine monoclonal antibody 225.28 and derivatives thereof; or with (b) any monoclonal antibody secreted by hybridomas from any species having the same immunological characteristics as antibody 225.28; or with (c) any polyclonal antisera from any species having the same immunological characteristics as antibody 225.28, capable of reacting with a specific determinant (epitope) of a high molecular weight-melanoma associated antigen are described, together with their preparation and use in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of tumors such as melanoma or other diseased cells which express the HMW-MAA epitope recognized by antibody 225.28.