Human antibodies in cancer and autoimmune disease.

In recent years, a number of novel human autoantigens and tumor-associated antigens have been identified using patient sera. Several of these antigens have been used as diagnostic markers, but defining their role in disease pathogenesis has been hampered by the lack of cloned human antibodies and antigens. Focusing on the solid cancers of the breast and colon and on autoimmune hematologic diseases, we are studying the role of human antibodies in disease pathogenesis. We have generated several human monoclonal autoimmune and cancer-associated antibodies, using antibody phage display technology, and have identified, cloned, and expressed their corresponding (novel) antigens. Using the monoclonal human antibodies as probes, we are elucidating the processes that lead to the generation of these antibodies and their possible pathogenic or protective effect. These studies may lead to the development of reagents for diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of these important diseases.