Treatment of B-Cell Lymphoma with Monoclonal Anti-Idiotype Antibody

TLDR

Human B‑cell lymphomas arise from clonal proliferation of cells expressing a unique monoclonal surface immunoglobulin, whose variable region (idiotype) serves as a tumor‑specific marker distinguishing malignant from normal B cells. Anti‑idiotype antibodies have been shown to monitor B‑cell tumors and to investigate their biology. No additional information is provided.

Abstract

HUMAN B-cell malignant tumors result from the proliferation of single clones of cells that express surface markers characteristic of normal B lymphocytes.1 , 2 In particular, the surface immunoglobulin expressed by these cells is monoclonal — i.e., restricted to a single light-chain type and to a particular variable region unique to each case. The unique immunoglobulin variable region (idiotype) of each lymphoma clone may be considered a tumor-specific marker, distinguishing tumor cells from normal cells in the patient. We and others have shown that anti-idiotype antibodies can be used to monitor B-cell tumors and to investigate the biology of these tumors.3 4 5 Because . . .