Identification of glioma-associated antigen MUC 2-63 as CD44.

Monoclonal antibody MUC 2-63 recognises neurogenic tumours and has been used successfully for radioimaging human malignant gliomas. We now show that the MUC 2-63 antigen has the same tissue distribution and molecular weight range as the CD44 antigen and confirm the identity of these two molecules in blocking studies using MUC 2-63 and the CD44 anti-framework antibody F10-44-2. Thus not only MUC 2-63 but also other anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies should prove useful in imaging and, perhaps, therapy of brain tumours.