[Monoclonal antibodies--new probes for diagnosis and therapy. Their use as an example of the micrometastasizing of solid tumors].

Monoclonal antibody CK2, recognizing component No. 18, appeared to be the most suitable reagent for the detection of epithelial tumor cells in bone marrow. Its specificity was confirmed in a double-marker staining procedure (combination of APAAP-technique and radioautography). CK2 positive cells were demonstrated not to reveal any cross-reactivity with an antibody directed against the "leucocyte common antigen". A significant correlation between the presence of epithelial tumor cells in bone marrow and certain conventional risk factors was found. A more detailed phenotypic characterisation could demonstrate the expression of proliferation associated antigens on these cells. Furthermore in an immunotherapeutic approach with monoclonal antibody 17-1A, labelling of the disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow after infusion of the antibody was shown.