Anti-receptor antibodies reverse the phenotype of cells transformed by two interacting proto-oncogene encoded receptor proteins.

The neu oncogene product, p185neu, is a tyrosine kinase receptor with structural similarity to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. We have recently described that coexpression of EGF receptors and high levels of normal p185c-neu lead to transformation of rodent fibroblasts. Anti-EGF receptor and anti-p185neu monoclonal antibodies inhibited tumorigenic growth of these transformants implanted into nude mice. These monoclonal antibodies also suppressed focus formation of the cells transformed by the synergistic action of these receptor proteins in vitro. However, EGF enhanced focus formation and stimulated cell growth when added to cells transfected just with the EGF receptor encoding cDNA. These data suggest that receptor specific effectors may have potentially useful applications in cancer therapy for neoplasms which demonstrate increased receptor densities. In addition the data suggest novel differences in the actions of tyrosine kinases when acting alone or in concert with other receptors.