Use of anti-ferritin monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of some cancers (divisional)

Abstract

The invention concerns the use, in the preparation of a medicine for treating cancer whereof the cells exhibit overexpression of a product of a gene of the myc-related family, of an anti-ferritin monoclonal antibody or a fragment thereof, said antibody or said fragment identifying an epitope common to acidic and basic human ferritins.

1 . An antiferritin monoclonal antibody or fragment thereof for the manufacturing of a diagnostic test or of a therapeutic drug for cancer or tumour cells in which overexpression of a gene from the myc family is observed with at least the following characteristics: 
 it recognises an epitope that is repetitive to and common acidic and basic human ferritins;    its affinity for the antigen is more than 10 −9  mole/litre.    
   
   
       2 . An antibody according to  claim 1 , of isotype IgG K or a derivative thereof.  
   
   
       3 . An antibody according to  claim 1 , of isotype IgM.  
   
   
       4 . A coupling product between an antibody and a substance X selected from the group formed by: 
 Beta-, alpha- or gamma-emitting radioisotopes;    toxic A chain ricin or abrin type molecules, or A chain diphtheria toxin;    cytolytic substances of the methotrexate, mitomycin, taxol or adriamycin type;    antisense RNA;    said antibody being an antiferritin monoclonal antibody recognising an epitope that is common to acidic and basic human ferritins and having an affinity for the antigen of more than 10 −9  mole/litre.    
   
   
       5 . A coupling product according to  claim 4 , in which said epitope that is common to acidic and basic human ferritins is repetitive.  
   
   
       6 . A coupling product according to  claim 4 , in which X is stabilised by a liposome type vector.  
   
   
       7 . A coupling product according to  claim 4 , in which a C5 to C15 spacer is integrated into the coupling product and can liberate the X molecule when the coupling product is brought into the presence of esterases.