[Monoclonal antibodies against myeloma cells].

Tumor cells in multiple myeloma are considered to originate from terminally differentiated B-cells e. g. plasma cells. Although it is known that antigens on circulating B-cells, such as CD20, are lost during terminal B-cell differentiation, antigens which are acquired on plasma cells are not well known. Plasma cell specific antibodies would provide useful informations of B-cell differentiation and diagnosis of myeloma. Moreover, therapeutic applications of these antibodies are already reported, especially, in bone marrow transplantation. On the other hand, phenotypic heterogeneity of myeloma cells is investigated by analyzing various antigens on myeloma cells. Monoclonal antibodies against myeloma cells which have appeared in the literature and their clinical applications are summarized.