Stem cell enhancing therapeutics

Abstract

The present application disclose a method for treating a patient who would benefit from stimulation of the patient's stem cells, comprising administering to the patient an antibody that specifically binds to an epitope of the MUC1 protein expressed on human undifferentiated stem cells.

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An antibody that specifically binds to an epitope of the MUC1 protein expressed on human undifferentiated stem cells. 
     
     
         20 . The antibody of  claim 19 , which specifically binds to at least six consecutive amino acids of the peptide of SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10 or SEQ ID NO:11. 
     
     
         21 . The antibody of  claim 19 , which does not bind or binds significantly less to the peptide of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:7 or SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         22 . The antibody of  claim 19 , which specifically binds to the peptide of SEQ ID NO:3 and does not bind to or binds significantly less to the peptide of SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         23 . The antibody of  claim 19 , which specifically binds to at least six consecutive amino acids of the peptide of SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10 or SEQ ID NO:11, and does not bind to or binds significantly less to the peptide of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:7 or SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         24 . A method for treating a patient suffering from cancer, comprising administering to a patient with MUC1-positive cancer cells an antibody that specifically binds to an epitope of the MUC1 protein that is expressed on cancer cells but is not expressed on human undifferentiated stem cells, comprising
 obtaining an antibody that specifically binds to cancer cells, but not to stem cells comprising selecting antibodies that bind to at least six consecutive amino acids of a peptide of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:7 or SEQ ID NO:8, but do not bind or bind significantly less to at least six consecutive amino acids of the peptide of SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10 or SEQ ID NO:11, wherein the antibody that specifically binds to cancer cells, but not to stem cells is obtained; and   administering the obtained antibody to the patient suffering from MUC-1 positive cancer.   
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the antibody is monovalent. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the antibody is scFv or Fab. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the antibody is humanized. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the patient suffers from cancer and is receiving chemotherapy or radiation. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the patient suffers from chronic kidney disease. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the antibody specifically binds to at least six consecutive amino acids of the peptide of SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the antibody specifically binds to at least six consecutive amino acids of the peptide of SEQ ID NO:7. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the antibody specifically binds to at least six consecutive amino acids of the peptide of SEQ ID NO:8. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 30 , wherein the antibody does not bind or binds significantly less to at least six consecutive amino acids of the peptide of SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         34 . A method for treating a patient suffering from cancer, comprising administering to a patient with MUC1-positive cancer cells an antibody that specifically binds to an epitope of the MUC1 protein that is expressed on cancer cells but is not expressed on human undifferentiated stem cells, comprising
 obtaining an antibody that specifically binds to cancer cells, but not to stem cells comprising (i) generating a mixed set of antibodies that recognize a peptide whose sequence is that of any of the peptides having sequence of SEQ ID NOS:1-11; and (ii) selecting antibodies that bind to at least six consecutive amino acids of a peptide of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:7 or SEQ ID NO:8, but do not bind or bind significantly less to at least six consecutive amino acids of the peptide of SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:10 or SEQ ID NO:11, wherein the antibody that specifically binds to cancer cells, but not to stem cells is obtained; and   administering the obtained antibody to the patient suffering from MUC-1 positive cancer.