The role of antibody in tumor immunity.

Antibody may sensitize tumor cells for destruction by nonimmune host effector elements that include complement, macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils or platelets. Small numbers of tumor cells may be very efficiently suppressed in vivo. Antibody immunotherapy can also be used successfully in combination with other modalities, such as chemotherapy, in the treatment of larger tumor burdens. Perhaps the greatest potential application of antibody in cancer therapy is its use as a tumor-specific delivery vehicle for cytotoxic substances. The opportunity to produce large quantities of monoclonal antibody, afforded by current hybridoma technology, will revolutionize the application of antibody to cancer medicine.