Monoclonal antibodies specific immunotherapy of gastrointestinal tumors.

Monoclonal antibody 17-1A showing cytotoxic properties to GI tract adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and mediating tumor growth inhibition in nude mice, was used as immunotherapeutic agent in 95 patients with various metastatic gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas. Several clinical trials were performed in patients with metastatic disease unaccessible to more conventional therapy of proven efficacy. Results of the different trials are reported here. Tolerance to monoclonal antibody infusion was excellent with minor side effects, except when combinations of several monoclonal antibodies were used. Three complete responses, five partial responses inferior to 50% and 24 stable diseases were noticed. A randomized trial is presently performed in high risk cancer patients with B2 or C colorectal carcinomas with 17-1A as adjuvant immunotherapeutic agent after surgery.