The present invention relates to molecules, particularly polypeptides,
more particularly immunoglobulins (e.g., antibodies), comprising a
variant Fc region, wherein said variant Fc region comprises at least one
amino acid modification relative to a wild-type Fc region, which variant
Fc region binds Fc.gamma.RIIA and/or Fc.gamma.RIIA with a greater
affinity, relative to a comparable molecule comprising the wild-type Fc
region. The molecules of the invention are particularly useful in
preventing, treating, or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated
with a disease, disorder, or infection. The molecules of the invention
are particularly useful for the treatment or prevention of a disease or
disorder where an enhanced efficacy of effector cell function (e.g.,
ADCC) mediated by Fc.gamma.R is desired, e.g., cancer, infectious
disease, and in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of therapeutic
antibodies the effect of which is mediated by ADCC.