Growth blocking agents
View Patent ↗There is disclosed anti-receptor and growth blocking agents to the vitamin B 12 /transcobalamin II receptor and binding sites. The anti-receptor and growth blocking agents antagonize or modulate the vitamin B 12 /transcobalamin II receptor or binding sites, causing cellular depletion of vitamin B 12 , thus inhibiting cell division or causing apoptosis. Anti-receptor and growth blocking agents of the present invention include proteins (such as antibodies and antibody derivatives), peptides and small organic molecules. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-receptor agent is an antibody to the vitamin B 12 /transcobalamin II receptor.
1. A monoclonal antibody that binds to TcII, wherein said monoclonal antibody inhibits the binding of vitamin B 12 to TcII and inhibits cellular uptake of vitamin B 12 .
2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the monoclonal antibody of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
3. A method of inhibiting cellular uptake of vitamin B 12 in a warm-blooded animal, comprising administering to a warm-blooded animal an effective amount of the monoclonal antibody of claim 1 , such that vitamin B 12 cellular uptake is inhibited.
4. A method of inhibiting cellular uptake of vitamin B 12 in a biological preparation, comprising administering to a biological preparation an effective amount of the monoclonal antibody of claim 1 , such that vitamin B 12 cellular uptake is inhibited.
5. A method of treating a neoplastic disorder in a warm-blooded animal, comprising administering to a warm-blooded animal an effective amount of the monoclonal antibody of claim 1 .