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, wherein the 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 , wherein the VEGF-E antagonist comprises an anti-VEGF-E antibody. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody. 
     
     
         7 . 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.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the VEGF-E antagonist is an anti-VEGF-E antibody. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody. 
     
     
         10 . A method of treating cancer in a mammal, the method comprising:
 administering to the mammal an anti-VEGF-E antibody, wherein the administration treats the cancer.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the antibody is a humanized antibody.