Treatment with Anti-VEGF Antibodies

Abstract

This invention concerns in general treatment of diseases and pathological conditions with anti-VEGF antibodies. More specifically, the invention concerns the treatment of human patients susceptible to or diagnosed with cancer using an anti-VEGF antibody, preferably in combination with one or more additional anti-tumor therapeutic agents.

1 . A method of treating non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) in a human patient, comprising administering to the patient effective amounts of an anti-VEGF antibody and an anti-neoplastic composition, wherein said anti-neoplastic composition comprises at least one chemotherapeutic agent. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient is previously untreated. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemotherapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of alkylating agents, antimetabolites, antibiotics, platinum coordination complexes and growth inhibitory agents. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the chemotherapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-neoplastic composition comprises a combination of at least two chemotherapeutic agents. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the anti-neoplastic composition comprises cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said anti-VEGF antibody binds the same epitope as the monoclonal anti-VEGF antibody A4.6.1 produced by hybridoma ATCC HB 10709. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-VEGF antibody is a human antibody. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-VEGF antibody is a humanized antibody. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the anti-VEGF antibody is a humanized A4.6.1 antibody or fragment thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-VEGF antibody is administered intravenously. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-VEGF antibody is administered to the patient at about 5 mg/kg every 2 to 3 weeks.