Preclinical studies with JAA-F11 anti-Thomsen-Friedenreich monoclonal antibody for human breast cancer

Aim: The Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (TF-Ag) is a disaccharide hidden on normal cells, but selectively exposed on the surface of breast, colon, prostate and bladder cancer cells. JAA-F11, a highly specific monoclonal antibody to TF-Ag, reduces metastasis and prolongs survival in a mouse model. In addition,I-124-JAA-F11 localizes 4T1 tumors in mice. These studies continue translation of JAA-F11 to human breast cancer. Materials & methods & results: Of the 41 human breast cancer cell lines tested, 78% were positive for reactivity with JAA-F11 by whole-cell enzyme immunoassay and positivity occurred unrelated to estrogen, progesterone or HER2 receptor status. JAA-F11 inhibited the growth rate of the human cancer cell lines tested. At 1 h, approximately 80% of JAA-F11 internalized in the three cell lines tested. I-124-JAA-F11 specifically imaged human triple-negative tumors in mice by microPET. Conclusion: The results highlight the potential that humanized JAA-F11 may have for immunotherapy and drug conjugate therapy in breast cancer patients.