Efficient selection of human tumor growth-inhibiting monoclonal antibodies.

A method is described for selection early after fusion for hybridomas that secrete IgG2a monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with binding specificity for antigens on the human tumor cells used to immunize mice. By combining this preselection method with antibody-dependent macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity assays, it was possible to select those MAbs mediating a tumoricidal effect against tumor cells in culture and inhibiting the growth of tumor xenografts in nude mice. Two such MAbs, GA733 and CO441, inhibited the growth of colorectal carcinoma cells, and one of them (GA733) was effective even when administered 6 days after implantation of tumor cells. These results suggest the potential usefulness of the 2 MAbs in immunodiagnosis and immunotherapy of human tumors.