| abstract |
A Class III, anti-CEA monoclonal antibody, preferably a monoclonal antibody comprising the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of a parental murine Class III, anti-CEA monoclonal antibody is disclosed. This monoclonal antibody is preferably a humanized monoclonal antibody in which the CDRs are engrafted to the framework regions of a heterologous antibody, wherein the humanized monoclonal antibody retains the binding specificity of the parental murine monoclonal antibody. A preferred Class III, anti-CEA monoclonal antibody is one in which the preferred heterologous antibody is from a human. Also provided are DNA constructs, vectors, cells and methods for producing the Class III, anti-CEA monoclonal antibodies, and diagnostic and therapeutic conjugates using same. Methods of treatment with a Class III, anti-CEA monoclonal antibody and with the conjugate containing this monoclonal antibody are provided as well as methods of diagnosis with the conjugate containing this monoclonal antibody. |