Erbb3 based methods and compositions for treating neoplasms

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating neoplasms in mammals, particularly humans. More particularly, the present invention provides for methods for preventing, treating or delaying neoplasm in a mammal using an ErbB-3 protein, a nucleic acid encoding an ErbB-3 protein or a functional fragment thereof. The present invention also provides for an isolated nucleic acids encoding an extracellular domain of the ErbB-3 protein, or a functional fragment thereof, substantially purified extracellular domain of the ErbB-3 protein, or a functional fragment thereof and antibodies that bind to an epitope in an extracellular domain of the ErbB-3 protein, or a functional fragment thereof. The present invention further provides for pharmaceutical compositions and / or vaccines comprising the extracellular domain of the ErbB-3 protein, or a functional fragment thereof, or nucleic acids encoding and antibodies binding to such extracellular domain or functional fragments thereof.

Description

[0001]This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 516,759, filed on Mar. 3, 2006, which is a national phase of PCT / CN03 / 00217, having an international filing date of Mar. 26, 2003, which claims priority from the Chinese Patent Application No. 02116259.x, filed Mar. 26, 2002, now Chinese Patent No. 03806762.5. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating neoplasms in mammals, particularly humans. More particularly, the present invention provides for methods for preventing, treating or delaying neoplasm in a mammal using an ErbB-3 protein, a nucleic acid encoding an ErbB-3 protein or a functional fragment thereof. The present invention also provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding an extracellular domain of the ErbB-3 protein, or a functional fragment thereof, substantially purified extracellular domain of ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Cancer is a major lethal disease for humans and is caused by physiologically-uncontrolled cell proliferation which affects normal physiological conditions of human body resulting in serious pathological reactions often leading to death.

Although tremendous efforts on cancer studies and treatments have been made, presently, cancer is still the major cause of death to humans.

When the compounds are toxic to cancer cells, they may also severely affect normal dividing cells which are necessary for human life.

These data indicate that homodimerization of ErbB-2 is insufficient for cell growth promotion or cell transformation, and other conditions, possibly involving specific dimer orientation or conformation, are required.

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