An immunotoxin containing momordin suitable for bone marrow purging in multiple myeloma patients

Attempts have been made by a number of methods to eliminate minimal residual disease from bone marrow to be reinfused in autologous transplantation. In this paper we describe a conjugate containing a monoclonal antibody, named 8A, recognising a plasma cell-associated antigen, and momordin, a ribosome-inactivating protein similar to the ricin A-chain. This immunotoxin is active on target cell lines and on neoplastic plasma cells, while myeloid progenitors are fairly resistant. The conjugate is shown to be acceptable for ex vivo purging in autologous bone marrow transplantation in multiple myeloma patients.