Methods of inhibiting metastasis

Abstract

Methods of inhibiting metastasis or maintenance of various cancers are provided. In particular, the method makes use of fact that certain trafficking of cancers depend upon identified proteins, which serve as markers. Additional methods of screening are also provided.

1 . A method of inhibiting metastasis of a cell, said method comprising blocking signaling of a chemokine receptor on said cell. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said metastasis is organ specific. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said metastasis is to the lymph node, bone marrow, or skin. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said metastasis is to the lymph node. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cell is a carcinoma cell, including a breast, head and neck, melanoma, or prostate. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said carcinoma cell is breast or melanoma. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said chemokine receptor is CCR7, CXCR4, or CCR10. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said blocking signaling is with an antibody against said chemokine receptor. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said chemokine receptor is CCR7, and said blocking is with:
 a) an antibody against FSEC, CKP9, or CKpll; or   b) an antagonist mutein of FSEC, CKP9, or CKpll.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said chemokine receptor is CXCR4, and said blocking is with:
 a) an antibody against SDF-1; or   b) an antagonist mutein of SDF-1.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said chemokine receptor is GPR2, and said blocking is with:
 a) an antibody against CTACK or Vic; or   b) an antagonist mutein of CTACK or Vic.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said blocking signaling is with:
 a) an antibody against said chemokine receptor; or   b) a drug which inhibits signaling of said chemokine receptor including pertussis toxin.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , which is combined with another treatment for cancer. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said treatment is selected from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said treatment is before said blocking. 
   
   
       16 . A method of screening for chemokine receptors on primary tumor or metastatic cells, comprising identifying which chemokine receptors are expressed on said cell. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said identifying:
 a) is antibody labeling, ligand testing, or PCR analysis; or   b) results in determination of therapeutic treatment.   
   
   
       18 . A composition comprising an antitumor agent and:
 a) a chemokine receptor antagonist; or   b) a toxic conjugate targeted to a chemokine receptor.   
   
   
       19 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein said antagonist or toxic conjugate is selected from:
 a) an antibody against FSEC, CKβ9, or CKβ11;   b) an antagonist mutein of FSEC, CKβ9, or CKβ11;   c) an antibody against SDF-1;   d) an antagonist mutein of SDF-1;   e) an antibody against CTACK or Vic;   f) an antagonist mutein of CTACK or Vic;   g) an antibody against said chemokine receptor; or   h) a drug which inhibits signaling of said chemokine receptor including pertussis toxin.   
   
   
       20 . A method of treating cancer in an animal, comprising administering to said animal an effective amount of the composition of  claim 18 .