HERV-K ANTIGENS, ANTIBODIES, AND METHODS
Methods and compositions for cancer diagnostics and therapy are provided. More particular, methods and compositions for detecting, preventing, and treating HERV-K + cancers are provided. One example of a method may involve a method for preventing or inhibiting cancer cell proliferation by administering to a subject a cancer cell proliferation blocking or reducing amount of a HERV-K env protein binding antibody.
1 . An anti-HERV-K positive antibody.
2 . The antibody of claim 1 wherein the antibody binds to HERV-K env protein.
3 . The antibody of claim 1 wherein the antibody is a chimeric antibody.
4 . The antibody of claim 1 wherein the antibody is a single chain antibody (scFv).
5 . An isolated antibody that prevents HERV-K positive cancer cell proliferation.
6 . An isolated antibody that induces HERV-K positive cancer cells to undergo apoptosis.
7 . A humanized antibody that binds to the HERV-K env proteins expressed from HERV-K positive cancer cells.
8 . An isolated antibody which binds to HERV-K env protein consisting of an amino acid sequence at least 80 percent homologous to SEQ ID. NOS. 12, 14, 32, 50 or 68
9 . A method for preventing or inhibiting cancer cell proliferation in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of anti-HERV K positive antibody wherein the cancer cell proliferation is blocked or reduced.
10 . A method of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof comprising the step of administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of anti-HERV K positive antibody wherein said cancer includes breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or melanoma.