# IMMUNODIAGNOSTIC APPROACHES TO HUMAN BREAST CANCER

> **NIH NIH R01** · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · 1987 · $78,821

## Abstract

The objective of this research is to develop more effective diagnostic
approaches to human breast cancer using monoclonal antibodies (MAb)
reactive with breast carcinoma-associated antigens.  We have developed a
panel of MAbs, designated the DF series, prepared against membrane enriched
fractions of a metastatic human breast carcinoma and MCF-7 cells.  One of
these, MAb DF3, has been further characterized and shown to recognize an
antigen with an Mr of 300 kilodalton.  The DF3 antigen is detectable on
the surface of human breast carcinoma cells and immunoperoxidase staining
with MAb DF3 clearly distinguishes malignant and benign breast lesions.

Double-determinant immunometric assays have been developed to monitor
circulating DF3 antigen levels in patients with breast cancer.  DF3 levels
were elevated in 70% of patients with metastatic breast cancer.  In
contrast, only 6% of healthy women and less than 2% of patients with prior
breast cancer who were free of disease after treatment had elevated DF3
antigen levels.  Furthermore, DF3 antigen levels were shown to reflect
changes in the clinical course of eight patients with metastatic breast
cancer.

The further evaluation of MAb DF3 in immunodiagnostic approaches to human
breast cancer requires a more precise understanding of the immunochemical
characteristics of DF3 antigen and factors affecting its expression.  This
work should provide the basis for effectively using MAb DF3 in determining
the prognostic value of immunoperoxidase studies in primary human breast
carcinomas and in monitoring clinical course by the radioimmunometric
plasma assays.  A third immunodiagnostic approach will involve the use of
radioiodinated MAb DF3 in lymphoscintigraphy studies to monitor for breast
cancer involvement in axillary and internal mammary lymph nodes.  The
remaining MAbs in the DF series (DF4, 7, 9, 15, 16) will be evaluated for:
(1) immunoperoxidase staining of fixed tissue slides; (2) evaluation of the
immunochemical properties, stability, affinity and cell surface expression
of the DF antigens; (3) circulation of the DF antigens and correlation with
the clinical status in patients with breast cancer; and (4) utility of the
DF MAbs for radioimaging studies.  (2)

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3177288
- **Project number:** 5R01CA038879-03
- **Recipient organization:** DANA-FARBER CANCER INST
- **SAM.gov UEI:** DPMGH9MG1X67
- **Principal Investigator:** DONALD W. KUFE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $78,821
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-07-01 → 1988-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3177288

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3177288, IMMUNODIAGNOSTIC APPROACHES TO HUMAN BREAST CANCER (5R01CA038879-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3177288. Licensed CC0.

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