The murine monoclonal antibody MUC 2-63 detects a surface antigen expressed in human gliomas as demonstrated by means of immunohistochemistry and Western blot. In addition, MUC 2-63 has been successfully used in vivo for radioimaging in nude mice bearing glioma xenografts and in glioma patients. The genes coding for the variable regions of MUC 2-63 were isolated for construction of antibody derivatives with reduced immunogenic effects and of reduced size. DNA and protein sequencing data and strategy for construction of chimeric antibodies and single-chain Fv fragments are presented.
