Monoclonal antibodies M340 and UJ181.4 recognize antigens associated with primitive neuroectodermal tumours/tissues.

Monoclonal antibodies UJ181.4 and M340 were raised from separate fusions using either human foetal brain or medulloblastoma tissue as immunogens. The antibodies are both of IgG isotype and bind to their target antigens with affinities in excess of 10(-9) M. Both monoclonal antibodies have been shown to bind to primitive neuroectodermal tumours and human foetal brain. Expression of the two antigens is developmentally regulated as no binding is detected on adult brain as determined by a variety of indirect binding assays. The two monoclonal antibodies can be clearly distinguished by their migration in a pH gradient (isoelectric focussing gels). UJ181.4 and M340 clearly recognize two different epitopes, as it is not possible to block the binding of one antibody with an excess of the other. In addition, careful study of the binding profiles of the two reagents suggest that they recognize two distinct antigens, although these have not been biochemically characterized. The reagents have proved particularly useful in both the differential diagnosis of the small round cell tumours of childhood and anaplastic brain tumours. In addition, they have formed part of a panel of reagents used for the immunomagnetic depletion of neuroblasts from bone marrow and have been used for targeting radionuclides to tumour cells in the intrathecal compartment.