Polypeptides homologous to VEGF and BMPI

Abstract

The present invention involves the identification and preparation of vascular endothelial growth factor-E (VEGF-E). VEGF-E is a novel polypeptide related to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic protein 1. VEGF-E has homology to VEGF including conservation of the amino acids required for activity of VEGF. VEGF-E can be useful in wound repair, as well as in the generation and regeneration of tissue.

1 - 33 . Canceled  
     
     
         34 . A method of inhibiting or preventing growth of cancer cells in a mammal, said method comprising: 
 administering to the mammal an effective amount of a VEGF-E antagonist in combination with an effective amount of a second agent, wherein the combined administration inhibits or prevents growth of cancer cells.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the growth of cancer cells is associated with tumor growth.  
     
     
         36 . The methods of  claim 34 , wherein the mammal is a human.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the mammal comprises a tumor-bearing patient undergoing therapy for tumors, wherein the patient is receiving no further beneficial effect from the therapy.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising administering a third therapeutic agent.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the third therapeutic agent is chemotherapeutic agent.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the second agent is an angiostatic agent.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the angiostatic agent is anti-VEGF antibody.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the VEGF-E antagonist comprises an anti-VEGF-E antibody.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41  or  42 , wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the administration is performed serially.  
     
     
         45 . A method of treating vascularization of a tumor in a mammal, the method comprising: 
 administering to the mammal an effective amount of a VEGF-E antagonist, wherein the mammal comprises a tumor-bearing patient undergoing therapy for tumors and the patient is receiving no further beneficial effect from the therapy, and wherein the administration treats the vascularization.    
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the patient is being treated with an anti-VEGF antibody.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the VEGF-E antagonist is an anti-VEGF-E antibody.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46  or  47 , wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising administering an auxiliary agent.  
     
     
         50 . A method of treating cancer in a mammal, the method comprising: 
 (a) administering to the mammal an anti-VEGF-E antibody; and    (b) administering to the mammal a second agent, wherein the second agent is a chemotherapeutic agent, a growth inhibitory agent, a cytotoxic agent, an angiostatic agent, an agent used in radiation therapy, an anti-VEGF antibody, a FGF antagonist, a PDGF antagonist, or an antibody that bind to an ErbB2, EGFR, ErbB3, ErbB4 or VEGF receptor,    wherein the combined administration treats the cancer.    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising administering a third therapeutic agent.