Cluster of differentiation 24 monoclonal antibody induces apoptosis in the osteosarcoma cells.

OBJECTIVES Cluster of differentiation 24 (CD24) was overexpressed in osteosarcoma and positive CD24 expression correlates significantly with distant metastasis invasion and poor survival in osteosarcomas. We, therefore, suggested that CD24 would be a new molecular target for therapeutic strategies. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of CD24 down-regulation using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) on apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS Osteosarcoma MG-63 cells were treated with Anti-CD24 mAb, and the effects on growth and apoptosis were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Anti-CD24 mAb could induce the apoptosis of cultured MG63 cells and anti-CD24 mAb treatment inhibited the tumor growth after cancer cell grafting and enhanced the cell apoptosis inside the tumor tissue. CONCLUSIONS The findings showed that anti-CD24 mAb targeting therapy provides a new avenue toward treating osteosarcoma.