Anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody 12-93 inhibits the growth of human salivary adenocarcinoma via sub-G1 arrest and induction of apoptosis

Epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been proposed as a target for anticancer therapy. We have reported that human salivary adenocarcinoma overexpress EGFR. In an attempt to selectively block signal transduction from EGFR, in the present study, we generated a novel anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody 12-93. 12-93 increased the levels of p27KIP1 and p16INK4a while decreased the expression of CDK4. We also found that 12-93 induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, which accompanied by activation of caspase-3, -7, and -9. In salivary adenocarcinoma animal model, 12-93 inhibited the growth of pre-established subcutaneous tumors. Taken together, our findings indicate that 12-93 antibody operates in human adenocarcinoma with potential application for cancer therapy.