Compositions against cancer antigen LIV-1 and uses thereof

Abstract

Described herein are methods and compositions that can be used for diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An antibody that specifically binds a polypeptide or protein encoded by SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         2 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is conjugated to an effector component.  
     
     
         3 . The antibody of  claim 2 , wherein the effector component is selected from the group consisting of a fluorescent label, a radioisotope or a cytotoxic chemical.  
     
     
         4 . The antibody of  claim 3 , wherein the cytotoxic chemical is auristatin-E.  
     
     
         5 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is selected from the group of Table 6.  
     
     
         6 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is an antibody fragment.  
     
     
         7 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         8 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody is a chimeric antibody.  
     
     
         9 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and the antibody of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         10 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 9 , wherein the antibody is further conjugated to an effector component.  
     
     
         11 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 10 , wherein the effector component is chosen from the group consisting of a fluorescent label, a radioisotope or a cytotoxic chemical.  
     
     
         12 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 11 , wherein the cytotoxic chemical is auristatin-E.  
     
     
         13 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 9 , wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         14 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 9 , wherein the antibody is selected from the group of Table 6.  
     
     
         15 . A method of detecting a prostate cancer cell or a breast cancer cell in a biological sample from an individual, comprising: 
 a. obtaining a first prostate or breast tissue sample from an individual and a normal tissue sample;    b. contacting the first prostate or breast tissue sample with an antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the level of antibody binding to the first tissue sample indicates the level of expression of SEQ ID NO:1;    c. contacting the normal tissue sample with an antibody of  claim 1 , wherein the level of antibody binding to the normal tissue sample indicates the level of expression of SEQ ID NO:1; and    d. comparing the expression of said SEQ ID NO:1 in the first prostate or breast tissue sample to expression of said gene in the normal tissue sample;    wherein a higher level of protein expression in the first prostate or breast tissue sample indicates that the first individual has prostate cancer or breast cancer.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the antibody is further conjugated to a fluorescent label.  
     
     
         17 . A method of treating an individual with prostate or breast cancer, the method comprising administering an antibody that specifically binds to a protein or polypeptide encoded by SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the antibody is an antibody fragment.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the antibody is conjugated to an effector component.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the effector component is chosen from the group consisting of a fluorescent label, a radioisotope or a cytotoxic chemical.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the cytotoxic chemical is auristatin-E.  
     
     
         24 . A method for generating an immune response in an individual, said method comprising administering to said individual the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         25 . A method for generating an immune response in an individual, said method comprising administering to said individual a protein or polypeptide encoded by SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         26 . A double-stranded ribonucleic acid, comprising: 
 a. a first strand that is complementary to an mRNA encoded by SEQ ID NO:1, or a fragment thereof; and    b. a second strand that is complementary to said first strand.    
     
     
         27 . The ribonucleic acid of  claim 26 , wherein the double-stranded ribonucleic acid is an siRNA.  
     
     
         28 . The ribonucleic acid of  claim 26 , wherein the double-stranded ribonucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NOS: 11 and 12.  
     
     
         29 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and the ribonucleic acid of  claim 26 .  
     
     
         30 . A method of treating an individual with prostate or breast cancer, the method comprising administering a double-stranded ribonucleic acid of  claim 26 .  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the double-stranded ribonucleic acid is an siRNA.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the double-stranded ribonucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NOS: 11 and 12.