Toward the use of monoclonal antibodies in the analysis of tumor progression and cellular heterogeneity of human breast cancer.
Most, if not all human tumors have a clonal derivation. However, during the expansion of a tumor cell clone secondary genetic changes are continuously generated (tumor progression) leading to phenotypic heterogeneity. This cellular heterogeneity appears to be the basis for the evolution of a metastatic behaviour and resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. Using conventional histopathology only a very limited information is obtained concerning this heterogeneity but in the case of human breast cancer additional knowledge is provided by analyses of cellular DNA content and estrogen and progesteron receptors. During the last few years a very impressing progress has been made in attempts to raise monoclonal antibodies against breast cancer using the hybridoma technique. A number of diagnostically and perhaps therapeutically useful antibodies are already available. It is therefore anticipated that within the next few years a panel of anti-breast cancer antibodies will be made available which will be able to define cellular heterogeneity and identify prognostically important tumor cell markers.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone