[Detection of multidrug resistant cells in human malignant diseases by monoclonal antibodies and strategy to eradicate resistant malignant cells].

Two monoclonal antibodies of F (ab')2 form, MRK 16 and MRK 20 that recognize P-glycoprotein and P85 kD protein respectively, were useful to detect multidrug resistant cells in human lymphoma, leukemia and gastrointestinal cancer cell lines. They were classified into 4 groups: Group I (4 cell lines) was insensitive to vinca alkaloids, anthracyclines, etoposide (VP-16) and actinomycin-D (ACT-D), and reactive to MRK 16 and MRL 20. Group II (2 cell lines) was insensitive to vincristine (VCR), but not reactive to both antibodies. Group III (3 cell lines) was insensitive to anthracyclines and VP-16, but sensitive to vinca alkaloids and ACT-D, and reactive to MRK 20 but not to MRK 16. Group IV (all other cell lines) was sensitive to these drugs, and not reactive to both antibodies. MRK 16 detects P-glycoprotein-associated multidrug resistance (MDR), while MRK 20 detects P 85kd-associated novel MDR. These monoclonal antibodies were useful for detection of MDR cells in clinical samples.