Novel Antibodies Against Cancer Target Block Tumor Growth, Angiogenesis and Metastatis

Abstract

The present invention provides antibodies that target the first-third domains of N-cadherein and the fourth domain of N-cadherin, for diagnosis and therapy of cancers related to N-cadherein. Methods of diagnosis and treatment utilizing these antibodies are also described.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An antibody or fragment thereof that will specifically bind to domain 4 of N-cadherin, the same antigenic determinant of N-cadherin, in vivo or in vitro, as does the monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited at the American Type Culture Collection having ATCC Accession No. PTA-9388, wherein the antibody or fragment thereof comprises (i) a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:3, and/or (ii) a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         14 . The antibody of  claim 13 , wherein the antibody is humanized or fully human. 
     
     
         15 . The antibody of  claim 13 , wherein the antibody is a diabody or scFv. 
     
     
         16 . The antibody of  claim 13 , wherein the antibody comprises a heavy chain comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
         17 . The antibody of  claim 13 , wherein the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
         18 . The antibody of  claim 13 , wherein the antibody comprises a light chain comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         19 . The antibody of  claim 13 , wherein the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         20 . The antibody of  claim 13 , wherein the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         21 - 42 . (canceled)