Human milk fat globule antigen 1 (HMFG1) expression in prostatic carcinoma and immunotargeting with a radiolabelled monoclonal anti-HMFG1 antibody.
BACKGROUND
Prostatic cancer is the leading cause of death in Swedish men. Approximately 50% have disseminated disease at diagnosis. Radiolabelled antibodies could possibly be a treatment modality for disseminated prostatic cancer, so that in this study the expression of the human milk fat globulin 1 (HMFG1) antigen in prostate cancer was examined.


METHODS
An immunohistochemistry technique with a murine monoclonal antibody was used, as well as the human prostate cancer cell line DU-145, which expresses this cell surface antigen. TUR specimens from patients with prostate cancer were also examined.


RESULTS
Eighteen out of 22 (82%) patients exhibited an HMFG1-positive tumour. An inhomogenity in the immunostaining could occasionally be seen, with smaller apparently negative areas. The immunolocalisation properties of the antibody were investigated using a radiolabelled antibody injection into nude mice bearing heterotransplants of the DU-145 cell line. The highest accumulation of the antibody was seen in the tumour tissue and the liver.


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained form a basis for further investigations with the goal of using the antibodies for staging and therapy for prostate cancer.
Ljung
G
G
Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
Lennernäs
B
B
Nordgren
H
H
Holmberg
A
A
Westlin
J E
JE
Nilsson
S
S
Edgren
M
M
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066292:Lipid Droplets; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016719:Radioimmunodetection; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006017:Glycolipids; D006023:Glycoproteins; C110367:milk fat globule