Abstract: The molecular cloning, expression, and biological characteristics of a novel receptor tyrosine kinase related to the epidermal growth factor receptor, termed HER4/p180.sup.erbB4, are described. Antibodies to HER4 are disclosed. A HER4 ligand capable of inducing cellular differentiation of breast cancer cells is also disclosed. In view of the expression of HER4 in several human cancers and in certain tissues of neuronal and muscular origin, various diagnostic and therapeutic uses of HER4-derived and HER4-related biological compositions are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods which utilize anti-idiotypic antibodies, or fragments thereof, for tumor immunotherapy or immunoprophylaxis. Monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies which recognize an idiotype present on a second antibody or on a T lymphocyte or on an immune suppressor factor which is directed against a defined tumor antigen, can be used for immunization against a tumor, for immune anti-tumor activation or inhibition of suppression, or for in vitro activation of lymphocytes to be used in adoptive immunotherapy. The anti-idiotypic antibodies, or fragments thereof, can also be used to monitor anti-antibody induction in patients undergoing passive immunization to a tumor antigen by administration of anti-tumor antibody. In another embodiment, administration of T lymphocytes which express an idiotype directed against a defined tumor antigen can be used to transfer delayed-type hypersensitivity to the tumor.

Abstract: The present invention definitively identifies and characterizes the tumor-associated antigen immunologically recognized by the murine monoclonal antibody L6. Further, the present invention provides the nucleotide sequence which encodes the L6 antigen. Various diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic methods comprising the L6 antigen and the nucleotide sequence which encodes the L6 antigen are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel antibodies reactive with human carcinoma cells. More particularly, the antibodies of the invention include: a murine monoclonal antibody, BR96; a human/murine chimeric antibody, ChiBR96; and a F(ab').sub.2 fragment of BR96. These antibodies are reactive with a cell membrane antigen on the surface of human carcinomas. The antibodies display a high degree of selectivity for carcinoma cells and possess the ability to mediate ADCC and CDC activity. In addition, the antibodies of the invention internalize within the carcinoma cells to which they bind. The antibodies also have a unique feature in that they are cytotoxic when used in the unmodified form, at specified concentrations.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with novel monoclonal antibody L53 which binds strongly to a glycoprotein antigen associated with human tumors, including carcinomas of the colon, breast, and lung, as well as melanomas. The antibody binds to normal human cells to a much lesser degree than to tumor cells. The antibody finds use in diagnostic methods for as the detection of malignant cells associated with tumors. Also disclosed is a novel 70,000-75,000 dalton glycoprotein antigen recognized by MAb L53. The L53 antigen is found on the cell surface of human tumor cells. The amino terminal amino acid sequence of this antigen is: ##STR1## in which X represents an unidentified amino acid.

Abstract: A chimeric antibody with human constant region and murine variable region, having specificity to a human tumor antigen, methods of production, and uses. In particular, the present invention relates to a chimeric antibody specific for a human tumor antigen L6 and which mediates a potent antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity against the tumor target cells.

Abstract: Peptides or proteins related to a melanoma associated antigen are described. These are produced in large quantities via recombinant DNA techniques and/or by chemical synthetic methods. The peptides or proteins can be used as immunogens in vaccine formulations which can induce an immune response that selectively destroys melanoma cells in a vaccinated individual. Where the peptides or proteins are expressed by a recombinant virus, inactivated or live virus vaccine formulations may be prepared.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel monoclonal antibody reactive with human carcinoma cells. More particularly, the antibody of the invention is a monoclonal antibody reactive with a glycolipid cell membrane antigen on the surface of human carcinomas. The antibody displays a high degree of selectivity for carcinoma cells, showing a low degree of reactivity with certain normal human cells and no detectable reactivity with other types of tumors such as lymphomas, sarcomas or melanomas. In addition, the antibody of the invention is capable of internalizing within the carcinoma cells to which it binds and is therefore particularly useful for therapeutic applications, for example, as the antibody component of antibody-drug or antibody-toxin conjugates.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with novel monoclonal antibodies which bind strongly to a protein antigen associated with human non-small cell lung carcinomas ("NSCLC") human small cell lung carcinomas and certain other human carcinomas including many carcinomas of the colon and breast. The antibodies bind to normal human cells to a much lesser degree than to tumor cells. The antibodies find use both in diagnostic methods such as the detection of malignant cells associated with NSCLC and in therapeutic methods for treatment of human in NSCLC and certain other human carcinomas. Also disclosed is a novel 110,000 dalton glycoprotein antigen found on the cell surface of human non-small lung carcinoma tumor cells and on cells from certain other human cancers. The amino terminal amino acid sequence of this antigen is: ##STR1## in which X represents an unidentified amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a novel monoclonal antibody which binds strongly to a protein antigen associated with human tumors, including carcinomas of the colon and lung. The antibody binds to normal human cells to a much lesser degree than to tumor cells. The antibody finds use both in diagnostic methods such as the detection of malignant cells associated with tumors and in therapeutic methods for treatment of humans with tumors. Also disclosed is a novel 66,000 dalton glycoprotein antigen found on the cell surface of human tumor cells. The amino terminal amino acid sequence of this antigen is: ##STR1## in which X represents an unidentified amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of combinations of antibody therapy and chemotherapy in the treatment of malignant disease. More particularly, the invention relates to novel methods of treating patients who have malignant disease and who have shown an unresponsiveness to treatment with standard chemotherapy regimens by administering to those patients (i) an antibody that binds to the malignant cells of the patient and (ii) a chemotherapeutic agent. According to particular embodiments of the invention, anti-glycolipid antibodies are administered to patients who are subsequently treated with standard chemotherapy regimens.

Abstract: Peptides or proteins related to a melanoma associated antigen are described. These are produced in large quantities via recombinant DNA techniques and/or by chemical synthetic methods. The peptides or proteins can be used as immunogens in vaccine formulations which can induce an immune response that selectively destroys melanoma cells in a vaccinated individual. Where the peptides or proteins are expressed by a recombinant virus, inactivated or live virus vaccine formulations may be prepared.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a novel monoclonal antibody which binds strongly to a protein antigen associated with human tumors, including carcinomas of the colon, breast, ovary and lung, as well as melanomas and sarcomas. The antibody binds to normal human cells to a much lesser degree than to tumor cells. The antibody finds use both in diagnostic methods such as the detection of malignant cells associated with tumors and in therapeutic methods for treatment of humans with tumors. Also disclosed is a novel 100,000 dalton glycoprotein antigen found on the cell surface of human tumor cells. The amino terminal amino acid sequence of this antigen is: ##STR1## in which X represents an unidentified amino acid.

Abstract: A method for identifying and using antibodies which are directed against tumor-associated glycolipid antigens and which are capable of activating serum complement or antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity. These antibodies find use in the therapy of tumors. Administration of the antibodies results in lysis of the tumor cells in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with novel monoclonal antibodies which define a glycolipid antigen associated with human non-small cell lung carcinomas ("NSCLC") and certain other human carcinomas. The antibodies bind to normal human cells to a much lesser degree than to tumor cells. The antibodies find use in diagnostic methods such as the detection of malignant cells associated with NSCLC and in therapeutic methods. The invention also comprises a method for determining the presence of a malignant condition in lung tissue and other human tissue. The method involves examining the human tissue for the presence of a glycolipid antigen having the characteristics of a ganglio-N-triosylceramide.

Abstract: Novel pH-sensitive immunoconjugates which dissociate in low-pH tumor tissue, comprising a chemotherapeutic agent and an antibody reactive with a tumor-associated antigen are described. The chemotherapeutic agent is coupled to the antibody by a link which is unstable in low pH. The link may comprise a spacer consisting of a polyamino acid. Representative antibodies for use in these immunoconjugates include monoclonal antibodies which are not internalized by tumor cells.

Abstract: An antibody MG-21 which is directed against a tumor-associated glycolipid antigen and which is capable of activating serum complement or antibody dependent cellular cytoxicity is described. This antibody finds use in the therapy of cancers particularly melanoma and glioma. Proper administration of the antibody results in lysis of the tumor cells in vivo.

Abstract: Novel pH-sensitive immunoconjugates which dissociate in low-pH tumor tissue, comprising a chemotherapeutic agent and an antibody reactive with a tumor-associated antigen are described. The chemotherapeutic agent is coupled to the antibody by a link which is unstable in low pH. The link may comprise a spacer consisting of a polyamino acid. Representative antibodies for use in these immunoconjugates include monoclonal antibodies which are not internalized by tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with novel monoclonal antibodies which define a gylcolipid antigen associated with human non-small cell lung carcinomas ("NSCLC") and certain other human carcinomas. The antibodies bind to normal human cells to a much lesser degree than to tumor cells. The antibodies find use in diagonostic methods such as the detection of malignant cells associated with NSCLC and in therapeutic methods. The invention also comprises a method for determining the presence of a malignant condition in lung tissue and other human tissue. The method involves examining the human tissue for the presence of a glycolipid antigen having the characteristics of a ganglio-N-triosylceramide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods which utilize anti-idiotypic antibodies, or fragments thereof, for tumor immunotherapy or immunoprophylaxis. Monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies which recognize an idiotype present on a second antibody or on a T lymphocyte or on an immune suppressor factor which is directed against a defined tumor antigen, can be used for immunization against a tumor, for immune anti-tumor activation or inhibition of suppression, or for in vitro activation of lymphocytes to be used in adoptive immunotherapy. The anti-idiotypic antibodies, or fragments thereof, can also be used to monitor anti-antibody induction in patients undergoing passive immunization to a tumor antigen by administration of anti-tumor antibody. In another embodiment, administration of T lymphocytes which express an idiotype directed against a defined tumor antigen can be used to transfer delayed-type hypersensitivity to the tumor.