Monoclonal antibodies against c-met

Abstract

Isolated monoclonal antibodies which bind to human c-Met, the hepatocyte growth factor receptor, and related antibody-based compositions and molecules, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the antibodies are also disclosed.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A nucleotide sequence encoding one or more of the amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 65, 69, 73, 77, 81, 85, 89, 93, 97, 101, 105, 109, 113, 117, 121, 125, 129, 133, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177 and 178. 
     
     
         31 . An expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence according to  claim 30 , wherein the vector further encodes an operatively-linked constant region of a light chain, constant region of a heavy chain or both light and heavy chains of an antibody. 
     
     
         32 . A recombinant eukaryotic or prokaryotic host cell comprising the nucleotide sequence of  claim 30 . 
     
     
         33 . A method for producing a human monoclonal antibody which binds human c-Met, said method comprising the steps of
 a) culturing a host cell of  claim 32 , and   b) purifying the antibody from the culture media.   
     
     
         34 . A method for detecting the presence of c-Met in a sample, comprising:
 contacting the sample with a human monoclonal antibody which binds human c-Met under conditions that allow for formation of a complex between the antibody and c-Met; and   analyzing whether a complex has been formed.