Antibodies with Increased Affinity for the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Fragments Derived Therefrom

This invention provides 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 been able to recognize more efficiently lines with medium expression of EGFR. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising as active principle the disclosed Abs and fragments and their use in the therapy of tumors with EGFR expression. In addition, it relates to the use of the Abs and fragments disclosed linked to a radioisotope or fluorophore for the localization of EGFR positive tumors. Additionally, the Abs and fragments disclosed can be used in the directionalization of the immune response to EGFR positive tumor cells when they are fused to protein or protein domains of immunological interest.