MUC1 mucin is a target protein for many monoclonal antibodies. Human MUC1 detected by a murine anti-KL-6 monoclonal antibody that recognizes a sialylated carbohydrate chain has been designated KL-6/MUC1. Given the heterogeneous antigenicity of KL-6/MUC1, we established a new murine monoclonal antibody, H9, that reacts with epitope DTRP (Asp-Thr-Arg-Pro) peptides within the immunodominant region of the tandem repeat of MUC1 mucin. The reactivity of the H9 antibody differs from that of other previously reported antibodies that recognize the tandem repeat region of MUC1. Immunohistochemical experiments indicate that the reactivity of the H9 antibody is similar to that of other antibodies directed against MUC1 core proteins. A new cancer-associated protein detected by a sandwich assay using the H9 antibody as a catcher and the KL-6 antibody as a tracer is designated HK9. Serum HK9 levels showed a high expression level in lung cancer: 51% (19/37 cases) for adenocarcinoma, 39% (11/28 cases) for squamous cell carcinoma, and 67% (10/15 cases) for small cell carcinoma. The HK9 expression in lung cancer increased with cancer progression. These findings suggest monoclonal antibody H9 to be a novel antibody that reacts with an epitope within the tandem repeat region of MUC1, and that the cancer-associated antigen HK9 may have useful tumor-associated properties.

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