In vitro and in vivo cytotoxic activity of native and ricin conjugated monoclonal antibodies to HBs antigen for Alexander primary liver cell carcinoma cells and tumours.

In in vitro and in vivo systems, native or ricin conjugated monoclonal anti-HBs, are capable of inhibiting or slowing the growth of Alexander primary hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Failure of the immune response to this component of the hepatitis B virus may be one permissive factor in the development of some primary liver cell carcinoma in chronic HBV carriers.