Thirty-two murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against the external domain of the human transferrin (Tf) receptor have been obtained using human Tf receptor glycoprotein produced in a baculovirus expression system as immunogen. The MAbs were tested separately, and in combination, for their ability to inhibit growth of CCRF-CEM leukemic T-cells in tissue culture. One MAb, D65.30, an IgG1, inhibited growth of CCRF-CEM cells as effectively as the anti-Tf receptor MAb 42/6, an IgA, previously found to have the highest antiproliferative activity in this assay. Some combinations of two or more MAbs inhibited the in vitro growth of CCRF-CEM much more effectively than single MAbs. Eleven IgG1 anti-Tf receptor MAbs, when combined individually with D65.30, increased the inhibition of CCRF-CEM growth from approximately 65% to greater than 90% in a 7-day growth assay. Similarly, many IgG MAbs in combination with 42/6 also inhibited CCRF-CEM growth by greater than 90%. The growth-inhibitory effects of certain combinations of MAbs were clearly synergistic, because either one or both MAbs tested separately were inactive. These pairs of MAbs also inhibited the growth of HL-60 and KG-1 leukemic cells by greater than 90% and partially inhibited the growth of K562 erythroleukemia and M21 melanoma cells, which are resistant to MAb 42/6. However, not all combinations of anti-Tf receptor MAbs were more effective; eight MAbs markedly antagonized the antiproliferative effects of D65.30, whereas 12 others had little or no effect. Preincubation of HL-60 cells with three different pairs of MAbs, D65.30 and A27.15, B3/25 and 42/6, and B3/25 and TR3A, inhibited subsequent colony formation by greater than 95%, demonstrating that their action is cytotoxic, not cytostatic. The antiproliferative activity of these pairs of MAbs correlates with their ability to block Tf-mediated 59Fe uptake and perturb Tf receptor expression. Treatment of nude mice bearing established s.c. CCRF-CEM tumors with a combination of MAbs D65.30 and A27.15 inhibited tumor growth and in some animals led to complete tumor regression. Each MAb administered separately was much less effective. We conclude that combinations of two or more anti-Tf receptor MAbs can interact synergistically to inhibit cell growth in vitro and tumor growth in vivo.