Monoclonal antibodies against tumor-associated antigens, a process for the preparation thereof and the use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and fragments thereof which bind to defined tumor-associated antigens, principally of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), of melanoma, of neuroblastoma and other tumors of neuroectodermal origin, to hybridoma cell lines for the preparation thereof, and to the antigens which can be defined and/or isolated with the aid of these antibodies or antibody fragments. The antibodies, antibody fragments and antigens can be used as diagnostic, aid, active substance or active substance carrier.

We claim:  
     
       1. A hybridoma cell line which produces the monoclonal antibody BW SCLC-1 having the deposit number ECACC No. 90022110. 
     
     
       2. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) produced by the hybridoma cell line of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       3. An antibody which binds to the epitope recognized by the MAb of  claim 2 . 
     
     
       4. An antibody that has the same antigen binding specifically  specificity as the MAb claimed in  claim 2 . 
     
     
       5. A method for determination of the antigen recognized by the MAb of  claim 2 , comprising the steps of: 
       a) incubating a sample of body fluid with a first antibody bound directly or indirectly to a solid phase, wherein said first antibody is selected from the group consisting of antibodies as claimed in claims  2 ,  3  or  4 ;  
       b) contacting any antigen bound to said solid phase with a second antibody recognizing sialic acid, polysialic acid or α-(2-8)-linked n-acetylneuraminic acid; and  
       c) determining the amount of label from one of the antibodies bound via said antigen.  
     
     
       6. The method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said first antibody recognizes sialic acid, polysialic acid or α-(2-8)-linked n-acetylneuraminic acid, and 
       wherein said second antibody is selected from the group consisting of antibodies as claimed in claims  2 ,  3 , and  4 .  
     
     
       7. A heterogeneous or homogeneous method for the detection and determination of NCAM recognized by MAb BW SCLC-   1 , comprising the steps of:    
         a )  incubating a sample of body fluid with a first specific binding partner, wherein the first specific binding partner recognizes sialic acid, polysialic acid, or α -(   2   -   8   )- linked n - acetylneuraminic acid;    
         b )  incubating NCAM bound to the first specific binding partner with a second specific binding partner, wherein the second specific binding partner recognizes an antigen selected from the group consisting of SCLC cell line antigens having a molecular weight of  170 ± 10  kDa,  140 ± 10  KDa,  105 ± 10  KDa,  67 ± 10  KDa,  50 ± 10  KDa, and SCLC patient serum antigens having a molecular weight of  75 ± 5  KDa,  105 ± 15  KDa,  240 ± 20  kDa; and    
         c )  DETERMINING the amount of NCAM bound both to the first specific binding partner and to the second specific binding partner.    
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second specific binding partner recognizes a protein epitope on NCAM.  
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second specific binding partner is a an antibody or a receptor.  
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second specific binding partner is an antibody.  
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the antibody is MAb BW SCLC-   1 .    
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the antibody if MAb BW SCLC-   2 .    
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first specific binding partner is an antibody, a lectin, or a receptor.  
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first specific binding partner is an antibody.  
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first antibody is MAb  735 .  
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first specific binding partner is bound to a solid phase.  
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first specific binding partner is bound to a label.  
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the label is an enzyme, a luminophore, a fluorophore, a radioactive isotope, a colored particle, or an uncolored particle.  
     
     
       19. A heterogeneous or homogeneous method for the detection and determination of NCAM recognized by MAb BW SCLC-   1 , comprising the steps of:    
         a )  incubating a sample of body fluid with a first specific binding partner, wherein the first specific binding partner recognizes sialic acid, polysialic acid, or α -(   2   -   8   )- linked n - acetylneuraminic acid;    
         b )  incubating NCAM bound to the first specific binding partner with a second specific binding partner, wherein the second specific binding partner is MAb BW SCLC -   1  or MAb BW SCLC -   2 ; and    
         c )  determining the amount of NCAM bound to the first specific binding partner and to the second specific binding partner.