# IMMUNODIAGNOSTIC APPROACHES TO HUMAN BREAST CANCER

> **NIH NIH R01** · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · 1989 · $149,541

## Abstract

The overall objective of this proposal is to develop more effective
diagnostic approaches to human breast cancer using monoclonal
antibodies (MAbs) reactive with breast carcinoma-associated
antigens.  We have prepared a murine MAb, designated DF3, against
a membrane-enriched fraction of a human breast carcinoma metastatic
to liver.  Immunoperoxidase staining has demonstrated the presence
of DF3 antigen in the cytosol of malignant breast epithelial cells.
The expression of DF3 antigen has also been shown to correlate with
the degree of breast tumor differentiation and estrogen receptor
status.  Furthermore, DF3 antigen is produced as heterogeneous
species with molecular weights ranging from 300 to 400 kd.  Studies
in family members indicate that the electrophoretic heterogeneity
of DF3 antigen is determined by codominant expression of multiple
alleles at a single locus.

Double-determinant immunoassays developed to monitor circulating
DF3 antigen have demonstrated that changes in DF3 values correlate
with clinical course in patients with metastic breast cancer.
These findings have resulted in the development of a bideterminant
immunoradiometric assay which utilizes both MAb DF3 and another
MAb, designated 115-D8, which reacts with a different epitope on
this antigen.  This assay, which detects the CA15-3 antigen, has
recently been shown to be more sensitive than the currently used
carcinoembryonic antigen assay for the evaluation and monitoring
of patients with breast cancer.

The proposed work represents an extension of studies initiated
during the current funding period.  We will continue
characterization of the DF3 antigen with respect to the core
protein, carbohydrate structure and polymorphic expression
(Specific Aim 1).  Immunoperoxidase staining studies will examine
DF3 antigen expression in breast tumor and lymph nodes (Specific
Aim 2).  Prospective clinical trials will evaluate the utility of
monitoring CA15-3 levels in patients with breast cancer (Specific
Aim 3).  Furthermore, we will determine the usefulness of MAb DF3
in the radioimmunodetection of breast cancer metastatic to axillary
lymph nodes (Specific Aim 4).  These studies should be important
in providing the basis for using MAb DF3 in the immunodiagnosis of
human breast cancer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3177289
- **Project number:** 5R01CA038879-05
- **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:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $149,541
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-07-01 → 1991-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3177289

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3177289, IMMUNODIAGNOSTIC APPROACHES TO HUMAN BREAST CANCER (5R01CA038879-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3177289. Licensed CC0.

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