Monoclonal antibodies against human malignant melanoma.

Monoclonal antibodies were raised against cultured melanoma cells and selected for their reactivity with melanoma-associated antigens phenotypically expressed on various melanoma lines and their sublines. Of 34 monoclonal antibodies tested which were all reacting with melanoma lines only 19 antibodies were found to bind to melanoma tissues. Of the 19 antibodies 10 displayed broad cross-reactivity with other cells and structures whereas 9 had a restricted reactivity. Of these antibodies 5 types could be defined which reacted with nevocellular antigens (I and II) with neural, endothelial and epidermal cells. The antibodies revealed a great heterogeneity of primary and metastatic melanoma. So far no clear association of the antigens with either primary or various forms of metastatic melanoma could be established.