Anti-Lewis y/b hapten (human), clone SC104 (preservative free)

Membrane glycolipids represent an unexplored source of tumor-associated antigens. Many of these are overexpressed and altered in tumors compared to normal tissue. Research into aberrant glycosylation and over-expression of glycolipids on the surface of the majority of cancers, coupled with a knowledge of glycolipids as functional molecules involved in a number of cellular physiological pathways, has provided a novel area of targets for cancer immunotherapy. Lewis-y/b is a cell surface carbohydrate blood group antigen expressed at very low levels in normal tissue, but often found to be overexpressed on breast, lung, colon and ovarian cancer cells. Clone SC104 recognizes a unique cell surface antigen sialyltetraosylceramide, expressed by 90% of colorectal tumors at all clinical stages. SC104 targets colorectal cancer-associated glycolipids and induces tumor cell death in vitro independently of CDC or ADCC or blockade of known survival signaling pathways. It induces apoptotic cell death and synergizes with chemotherapy in vivo in mice.