High-level expression of MRK 16 and MRK 20 murine monoclonal antibody-define proteins (170,000-180,000 P-glycoprotein and 85,000 protein) in leukaemias and malignant lymphomas.

Using flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry, we investigated the reactivities of two different murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), MRK 16 and MRK 20, specific to adriamycin-resistant K562 cells (K562/ADM) with peripheral human mononuclear cells (MNC) (mainly blastic cells and lymphocytes) from 31 patients with leukaemia or malignant lymphoma. Reactivity with MRK 16 MAb was observed in five cases and reactivity with MRK 20 MAb in 18 cases. The cases were divided into three groups according to their reactivity patterns: group I, only the proportion of MRK 16-positive cells was increased; group II, only the proportion of MRK 20-positive cells was increased; group III, both MRK 16-and MRK 20-positive cells were increased. Some cases reflected the prior administration of adriamycin, vincristine, vinblastine and VP-16, which are known to induce P-glycoprotein expression. Expression of Mr 85,000 protein was observed more frequently than that of P-glycoprotein in leukaemia and malignant lymphoma, and this was not associated with either the total dose or period of administration of anticancer drugs. The expression of Mr 85,000 protein recognised by MRK 20 was further confirmed by Western blot analysis.