Inventors:
T. Paul Wallace - Aberdeenshire, GB3
William J. Harris - Carnoustie, GB3
Frank J. Carr - Balmedie, GB3
Lloyd J. Old - New York NY
Sydney Welt - Armonk NY
Kunio Kitamura - Nagoya, JP
Assignee:
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research - New York NY
International Classification:
C07K 1400, A61K 3816, C12P 2108
Abstract:
The invention provides for the production of several humanized murine antibodies specific for the Lewis b antigen, which is recognized by the murine antibody 58-1066. The antigen is expressed on cell lines from colon, lung, bladder, breast, renal, pancreatic and ovarian cancers. The expression of the antigen is greatly increased in cancer tissues as compared to its expression in the corresponding normal tissue. The invention also provides for numerous polynucleotide encoding humanized Lewis b antigen specific antibodies, expression vectors for producing humanized Lewis b antigen specific antibodies, and host cells for the recombinant production of the humanized antibodies. The invention also provides methods for detecting cancerous cells (in vitro and in vivo) using humanized Lewis b antigen specific antibodies. Additionally, the invention provides methods of treating cancer using Lewis b antigen specific antibodies.