Use of monoclonal antibodies against ferritin for treatment and diagnosis of cancers that overexpress a myc family gene product

摘要

Use, for preparing an anticancer composition, of monoclonal antibodies (Ab) against ferritin (F), or fragments of Ab or constructs containing the fragment. Ab, or the fragments, recognize an epitope common to human acidic and basic F and are used to treat cancers in which the cells overexpress a product from a gene of the myc family. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) use, for preparing a composition for determining or locating the specified cancers (or cancerous cells), of Ab, or its fragments, that are (in)directly coupled to a signal emitter; (2) Ab, or its fragments, for the specified uses, that recognize a common, repetitive epitope in human acidic and basic F and have an affinity for antigen over 10-9 M/l; and (3) products formed by coupling the Ab of (b) with a radioisotope ( alpha , beta or psi -emitter), the A chain of ricin, abrin or diphtheria toxin; cytolytic agents of the methotrexate, mitomycin, taxol or adriamycin types, or antisense RNA.