Anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab2) that bind to the antigencombining region of anti-tumor antibodies (Ab I) may functionally, and even structurally, mimic tumor antigen. We have previously demonstrated that polyclonal goat Ab2 directed against anti-human gastrointestinal carcinoma Ab I GA733 induces anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab3) in animals that are Ab I -like in their binding specificity and idiotope expression. To obtain more defined Ab2 vaccines with potentially increased specificity and efficacy, a monoclonal Ab2 (FG I) was produced against Ab I GA733 in rats. The monoclonal Ab2 FG I, similar to the polyclonal Ab2 described previously, induced Ab3 in rabbits that were Ab I -like in their idiotope expression and binding specificity to tumor cells and antigen. Antigen-specific Ab3 induced by Ab2 FG I were easily detected in unprocessed rabbit sera, whereas the demonstration of such Ab3 after polyclonal Ab2 immunization required purification of the Ab3 from the rabbit sera. In addition, Ab2 FG I induced antigen-specific humoral and cellular immunity in mice. Murine Ab3 bound specifically to antigen-positive tumor cells. Ab2-immunized mice showed antigen-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction, and cultured splenocytes from the immune mice demonstrated specific proliferation and cytokine (interferon-y and interleukin-4) secretion upon stimulation with GA733 antigen. However, immune mice were not protected against a challenge with syngeneic GA733 antigen-expressing colon carcinoma cells.o 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.