Introduction
IGN311 is a humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody that binds to the Lewis Y (LeY) carbohydrate overexpressed on epithelial cancers. IGN311 potently mediates human effector functions (ADCC, CDC). The overexpression of fucosyltransferases in tumor cells also results in glycosylation of cell surface receptors by LeY. The anti-LeY antibodies IGN311 and its murine parent version ABL 364 therefore might influence the signaling in tumor cells via inhibition of growth factor receptor functions.