Polypeptides homologous to vegf and bmp1

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 . 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.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the growth of cancer cells is associated with tumor growth.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mammal is a human.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the mammal comprises a tumor-bearing patient undergoing therapy for tumors, wherein the patient is receiving no further beneficial effect from the therapy.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering a third therapeutic agent.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the third therapeutic agent is chemotherapeutic agent.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second agent is an angiostatic agent.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angiostatic agent is anti-VEGF antibody.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the VEGF-E antagonist comprises an anti-VEGF-E antibody.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  or  9 , wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration is performed serially.  
     
     
         12 . 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.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the patient is being treated with an anti-VEGF antibody.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the VEGF-E antagonist is an anti-VEGF-E antibody.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  or  14 , wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising administering an auxiliary agent.  
     
     
         17 . 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.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising administering a third therapeutic agent.