Unique proteins defined by monoclonal antibodies specific for human melanoma. Some potential clinical applications

A panel of monoclonal antibodies, designated HMB 18, 45, and 50, have been isolated that are highly specific for malignant melanoma. When tested on fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections, they reacted with 97 percent of melanomas tested (58 of 60), including pigmented, unpigmented, primary, and metastatic melanoma. The specificity in differentiating melanomas from other malignant tumors, including 112 carcinomas, 35 lymphomas, and 39 sarcomas, was 100 percent. Normal melanocytes were unreactive, although some benign melanocytic lesions were recognized. Using immunoprecipitation and SDS-PAGE analysis of 35S-methionine-labeled melanoma cells in tissue culture, a previously undescribed protein of approximately 10 kd was recognized by all three antibodies. HMB 50 also precipitated two high molecular weight proteins of 97 kd and 110 kd from the conditioned medium of melanoma cells. These monoclonal antibodies are the most sensitive and specific antibodies generated against human melanoma to date. Their clinical application in diagnostic surgical pathology and potential use in immunotherapy are discussed.