Inhibition of oncogenic kras-induced GM-CSF production and function
The present invention is directed to methods of inhibiting tumor growth in a subject. The present invention is further directed to methods of diagnosing cancer in a subject and identifying a suitable course of treatment for the subject based on the diagnosis. The present invention is also directed to an orthotopic animal model of pancreatic cancer.
1. A method of enhancing anti-tumor immunity in a subject having pancreatic cancer comprising:
selecting a subject having a pancreatic tumor, wherein the pancreatic tumor cells comprise an activated ras oncogene; and
administering to the selected subject an agent that inhibits GM-CSF in an amount effective to decrease myeloid derived suppressor cell immunosuppression in the subject, thereby enhancing anti-tumor immunity in the subject.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the activated oncogene is KRas.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the agent is an antibody or binding fragment thereof that recognizes GM-CSF.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the antibody comprises MOR103.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said administering is carried out in combination with one or more additional cancer related therapies or therapeutics.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the agent that inhibits GM-CSF is administered directly to the tumor site.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the agent that inhibits GM-CSF is coupled to a tumor cell targeting ligand to target delivery of the agent to said tumor cells.