Antibodies with increased affinity for the epidermal growth factor receptor and fragments derived therefrom

The invention relates to new antibodies (Ab) and fragments that recognize the extracellular region of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (hEGFR) with a higher affinity than the Ab nimotuzumab,thus being able to recognize more efficiently lines with medium expression of EGFR. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned Abs and fragments as active principle, and to the use thereof in therapy for EGFR-expressing tumors. In addition, the Abs and fragments can be used to locate EGFR positive tumors when linked to a radioisotope or fluorophore. Additionally, said Abs and fragments can be used in directing the immune response to EGFR positive tumor cells when they are fused to proteins or protein domains of immunological interest. 本发明提供了新型抗体(Ab)和片段，其以比Ab尼妥珠单抗更高的亲和力识别人表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)的胞外区，因此可以以更高的效率识别具有中等EGFR表达的细胞系。本发明还涉及包含所公开的Ab及片段作为活性成分的药用组合物，以及其在治疗具有EGFR表达的肿瘤中的用途。此外，所公开的Ab及片段，当与放射性同位素或荧光团相连接时，在定位具有EGFR的肿瘤中是有用的。另外，当与具有免疫学意义的蛋白质或蛋白质结构域相融合时，所述Ab及片段可以用于将免疫应答导向E