Methods for using anti-MUC18 antibodies
The present invention relates generally to the generation and characterization of anti-MUC18 monoclonal antibodies. The invention further relates to the use of such anti-MUC18 antibodies in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders associated with increased activity of MUC18, in particular, tumors, such as melanomas.
1. A method of inhibiting cell proliferation associated with the expression of the MUC18 tumor antigen comprising:
providing a monoclonal antibody comprising a heavy chain amino acid sequence, wherein said heavy chain amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33 and 37, and wherein said monoclonal antibody binds MUC18;
contacting cells expressing MUC18 with an effective amount of said antibody; and
incubating said cells and said antibody, wherein said incubation results in inhibited proliferation of said cells.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said antibody is a fully human antibody.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said antibody further comprises a light chain amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, 30, 34 and 38.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said antibody is conjugated to a therapeutic or cytotoxic agent.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the cytotoxic agent is ricin.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the therapeutic agent is a radioisotope.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said cell are melanoma cells.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said cells are tumor cells.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said cell proliferation is tumor metastasis.
10. A method of inhibiting cell proliferation associated with the expression of the MUC18 tumor antigen comprising:
providing a monoclonal antibody comprising a light chain amino acid sequence, wherein said light chain amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NOs: 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, 30, 34 and 38, and wherein said monoclonal antibody binds MUC18;
contacting cells expressing MUC18 with an effective amount of said antibody; and
incubating said cells and said antibody, wherein said incubation results in inhibited proliferation of said cells.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said antibody is a fully human antibody.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein said antibody is conjugated to a therapeutic or cytotoxic agent.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the cytotoxic agent is ricin.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the therapeutic agent is a radioisotope.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein said cells are melanoma cells.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein said cells are tumor cells.
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein said cell proliferation is tumor metastasis.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the monoclonal antibody comprises the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the monoclonal antibody further comprises a light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.
20. The method of claim 10 , wherein the monoclonal antibody comprises the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the monoclonal antibody further comprises a heavy chain amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1.