High level expression of functional human IgMs in human PER.C6 cells.

Natural IgM antibodies play an important role in the body's defense mechanisms against transformed cells in the human body and are currently being exploited both in prognoses of malignant lesions and in the therapy of cancer patients. However, despite growing interest and clinical promise, thus far the IgM class of antibodies has failed to gain widespread commercial interest as these are considered to be difficult to produce recombinantly. IgMs are polymeric and have a relatively large mass.

Diagnostic and therapeutic potential of a human antibody cloned from a cancer patient that binds to a tumor-specific variant of transcription factor TAF15.

Human hybridoma technologies permit the cloning of patient antibodies that may have desirable qualities. In this study, we report the isolation of a natural IgG antibody from a stomach cancer patient that illustrates novel diagnostic and therapeutic uses. Human antibody PAT-BA4 recognizes a tumor-specific variant of the transcription factor TATA-binding protein-associated factor 15 (TAF15) that is expressed on the plasma membrane of stomach cancer and melanoma cells but not healthy tissues.

Natural antibodies and cancer.

The innate or natural immunity is the basis and key for all immune processes. Specific receptors on macrophages, dendrites, NK cells and natural antibodies producing B cells act as a first line defense and remove all 'foreign' and potentially harmful substances, that is, bacteria, viruses, cellular waste, modified molecules and, most importantly, cancer cells. Recognition and removal of transformed cells is a lifelong task of immune surveillance processes.

Natural human immunoglobulins in cancer immunotherapy.

The natural or innate immunity is the first-line defense against transformed cells. It guarantees the recognition and removal of malignant cells at an early stage and makes manifest cancers an exceptional event. Natural antibodies, which are predominantly IgM molecules, play a major role in these defense mechanisms and they have some typical features in common.

Neoadjuvant therapy of gastric cancer with the human monoclonal IgM antibody SC-1: impact on the immune system.

Adjuvant therapies for minimal residual disease are a promising approach to improve the poor survival rates after surgery of gastric tumors. A pilot study of a neoadjuvant therapy was performed using a human monoclonal IgM antibody (SC-1) specifically inducing apoptosis in signet ring cell stomach carcinomas. However, scarce information exists on how such a treatment affects the immune system, in particular what are the effects of apoptosis induction and infusion of large amounts of IgM.