Summary
The very rapidly expanding knowledge and technologies of molecular biology are reviewed
with special reference to problems in the clinical management of lung cancer. Genetic
events, tumor-associated antigens, production of murine and human monoclonal antibodies,
culture of cell lines, intratumoral phenotypic diversity and squamous-lung-cancer-associated
antigens are discussed and related to possible therapeutical approaches.
A monoclonal antibody with high specificity for squamous cell lung cancer roactad
positively in blood samples and tissue extracts in about 80%. Its use as a marker
during follow-up after surgical treatment is demonstrated by examples.
It is concluded that there will be limiting factors in the therapeutic use of monoclonal
antibodies, such as intratumoral phenotypic diversity. Genetic analysis might be a
method for selecting a high risk group of individuals in whom exposure to carcinogenic
factors, such as cigarette smoking, would be fatal. Murine monoclonal antibodies can
be used in vitro for screening, for histological examination and for prognostic studies. Human monoclonal
antibodies should be used for in vivo purposes as well as for the screening of primary tumor and metastases for the therapy.
To achieve usable results, the monoclonal antibodies should be raised against the
cell membranes that, in particular, are expressed on the stem cells of the neoplastic
cell population.
Key words
Lung cancer biology - Intratumoral phenotypic diversity - Monoclonal antibodies
