| abstract |
The invention relates to a new monoclonal antibody which binds securely to a protein antigen associated with tumors encountered in humans, including carcinomas of the colon, chest, ovaries and lungs, as well as melanomas and sarcomas. The antibody binds to normal human cells to a much lesser extent than to tumor cells. The antibody finds use both in diagnostic methods such as the detection of malignant cells associated with tumors, as well as in therapeutic methods of treating patients with tumors. The invention also relates to a novel 100,000 dalton glycoprotein antigen encountered on the cell surface of human tumor cells. The amino-terminated amino acid sequence of this antigen is of formula (I), wherein X represents an unidentified amino acid. |