Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies for AML and other cancers

A team of Stanford researchers has developed humanized and chimeric mouse anti-human CD99 monoclonal antibodies with demonstrated activity against AML (acute myeloid leukemia) cells in vitro and in vivo. The CD99 protein is overexpressed on AML stem cells compared to normal hematopoietic stem cells. CD99 has also been found in the cell surface of Ewing's sarcoma and other solid tumors. The anti-human CD99 antibodies developed at Stanford exhibit potent efficacy in triggering phagocytosis of AML cells in vitro and eliminating AML cells in an in vivo model. Furthermore, the anti-human CD99 antibodies demonstrated synergy with other antibodies in eradicating AML in vivo. These antibodies could be developed as therapeutic agents (either alone or in combination therapy) to treat AML and other forms of cancer.