Treatment of two patients with B cell lymphoma with monoclonal anti-
idiotype antibodies
EM Rankin, A Hekman, R Somers and W ten Bokkel Huinink
Mouse monoclonal anti-idiotype antibodies have been used to treat two
patients with progressive advanced B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Transient
falls in the level of circulating malignant cells and idiotypic
immunoglobulin were produced, and free unbound monoclonal antibody was
identified in the serum. Homing of the antibodies to tumor cells in the
blood, bone marrow, ascites, and lymph nodes was demonstrated in both
patients. Although large amounts of anti-idiotype antibody were given (3.8
g and 5.8 g), no toxic effects were seen, and no antibodies to the foreign
mouse protein were made. There was no modulation of the antigen from the
tumor cells and no indication of immunoselection. There was evidence of
large-scale tumor cell destruction, but only a modest reduction in tumor
size. The killing of the tumor cells was mediated by the
reticuloendothelial system and not by complement.
Volume 65,
Issue 6,
pp. 1373-1381,
06/01/1985
Copyright © 1985 by The American Society of Hematology
