Pharmaceutical Composition Comprising Anti-HB-EGF Antibody as Active Ingredient

Abstract

An anti-HB-EGF antibody having an internalizing activity is disclosed. A cytotoxic substance is preferably bound to the anti-HB-EGF antibody of the present invention. Also provided are an anti-cancer agent and a cell proliferation inhibitor, which comprise the antibody of the present invention as an active ingredient, a method of treating cancer and a method of diagnosing cancer, which comprise the administration of the antibody of the present invention. Cancers that can be treated by the anti-cancer agent of the present invention include pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, melanoma, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cervical cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, brain tumors, and hematological cancers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of inhibiting cell proliferation with a cytotoxic substance attached to an anti-HB-EGF antibody. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to claim  13 , wherein the cell is a cancer cell. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to claim  12 , wherein the cytotoxic substance is a chemotherapeutic agent, a radioactive substance, or a toxic peptide. 
     
     
         4 . Use of an anti-HB-EGF antibody having an internalizing activity for inhibiting cell proliferation. 
     
     
         5 . The use according to claim  17 , wherein the anti-HB-EGF antibody further comprises a neutralizing activity. 
     
     
         6 . The use according to claim  18 , wherein the anti-HB-EGF antibody further comprises an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) or a complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC).