Increased efficacy in selective elimination of leukemic cell line clonogenic cells by a combination of monoclonal antibodies BA-1, BA-2, BA-3 + complement and mafosfamid (ASTA Z 7557).

Studies were undertaken to examine the efficacy of combining monoclonal antibodies BA-1, BA-2, BA-3 + complement with a stabilized derivative of cyclophosphamide (mafosfamid) for elimination of leukemic cell line clonogenic cells. In a series of experiments conducted with leukemic cell lines a combination of two cycles of treatment with BA-1, 2, 3 + complement combined with 25 micrograms/ml-1 mafosfamid was superior to either modality alone in killing clonogenic leukemic cells. Identical treatment of normal bone marrow had no effect on the monopotent stem cells CFU-E and CFU-GM, or the pluripotent stem cell CFU-MIX, but some inhibition of the monopotent stem cell CFU-MK did occur. These results suggest that consideration be given to incorporation of BA-1, 2, 3 + complement and mafosfamid combination treatment in autologous bone marrow transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.