INHIBITORS OF EXTRACELLULAR HSP90
The present invention describes inhibitors of extracellular Hsp90. The inhibition of extracellular Hsp90 leads to a reduction of the invasiveness of the tumor cells. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of molecules inhibiting extracellular Hsp90 function for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of invasion and/or metastatic potential of cancer cells.
1 . A method of treating cancer or metastasis in a human subject, wherein the cancer or metastasis expresses extracellular Hsp90, the method comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or antibody fragment which binds to, and inhibits human extracellular Hsp90, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a monoclonal antibody.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is unable to enter a cell.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is labelled with a detectable label.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is recombinantly produced antibody or antibody fragment.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a humanized antibody or antibody fragment.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a human antibody or antibody fragment.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the human antibody or antibody fragment is a human monoclonal antibody.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the cancer or metastasis is selected from the group consisting of; breast adenocarcinoma, melanoma, fibrosarcoma.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is also treated with chemotherapy.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the cancer or metastasis expressing extracellular Hsp90 is identified to express human extracellular Hsp90 by analysis of a biopsy sample taken from the subject.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is an anti-Hsp90α antibody or antibody fragment.
13 . A kit comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or antibody fragment which binds to, and inhibits human extracellular Hsp90, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a suitable container.
14 . The kit of claim 13 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a human antibody or antibody fragment or a humanized antibody or antibody fragment.
15 . The kit of claim 13 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a monoclonal antibody.
16 . The kit of claim 14 , wherein the human antibody or antibody fragment is a human monoclonal antibody.