title: Expression of epithelial-cell adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM) in small cell lung cancer as defined by monoclonal antibodies 17-1A and BerEP4.
abstract: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) comprises 15-20% of all lung cancer. Despite high initial response to chemotherapy chemoresistance at relapse leads to a less than 5% five-year survival rate. Adjuvant treatment with monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) against SCLC antigens may offer a therapeutic option. Mab 17-1A directed against the epithelial-cell adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM) has been extensively tested for therapy in patients with colorectal carcinoma. Expression of Ep-CAM in SCLC has been earlier described. However, reactivity of Mab 17-1A and another Ep-CAM-binding Mab BerEP4 has not yet been described for SCLC. Using immunohistology first with BerEP4 and confirmatory with 17-1A a homogenous and strong expression of Ep-CAM was seen in all SCLC specimens tested (n = 10). For comparison, heterogenous expression was seen in the non-SCLC tumors tested (n = 15). These findings strongly suggest that Mab 17-1A can be useful for adjuvant immunotherapy in patients with SCLC. For detection of Ep-CAM in tumor tissue in patients that might be considered for immunotherapy with Mab 17-1A, Mab BerEP4 appears to be preferred.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Göteborg University, Sweden. Thomas.brezicka@lungall.gu.se
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brezicka
mesh_terms: D002282:Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / Q000378:metabolism; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D018287:Carcinoma, Large Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000378:metabolism; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C117805:Ber-EP4 monoclonal antibody; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C499379:EPCAM protein, human; D000071858:Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule; C400149:Edrecolomab