Serotherapy of AFP-producing tumors with the purified antibody to AFP.
14 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and one with a hepatoblastoma were given AFP antibodies and changes in serum AFP levels and clinical courses were observed. Anti-human AFP horse IgG was purified by immunoadsorbent column chromatography. 1 mg of the purified antibody was able to bind 100-150 micrograms of AFP. 200-800 mg were given to each patient, according to their AFP levels. Also, conventional anti-cancer agents were administered consecutively. In all cases, the serum AFP levels measured by RIA decreased rapidly to undetectable levels within 24-48 h after the infusion. Then, in seven of 15 cases, the relatively low level was maintained for periods of 10-96 weeks. In the remaining eight cases, the serum AFP level increased again after 1-2 weeks and rose further with clinical deterioration. Since the antibody administered was undetectable in the serum within 2 weeks after its infusion, it is suggested that the AFP antibody had an inhibitory effect on the production or the release of AFP in some patients.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins