ANTI-ErbB2 ANTIBODIES

Abstract

Anti-ErbB2 antibodies are described which bind to an epitope in Domain 1 of ErbB2 and induce cell death via apoptosis. Various uses for these antibodies are also described.

1 - 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A method of treating cancer comprising administering to a human subject with cancer characterized by overexpression of the ErbB2 receptor a first antibody that binds Domain 1 (SEQ ID NO: 1) of ErbB2 and thereby induces cell death in cancer cells overexpressing ErbB2, or an antigen-binding fragment of said first antibody, and a second antibody that binds ErbB2 at a different domain than Domain 1 and inhibits growth of cancer cells overexpressing ErbB2, or an antigen-binding fragment of said second antibody. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the first antibody binds epitope 7C2/7F3 (SEQ ID NO: 2) of ErbB2. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the first antibody comprises CDRs of antibody 7C2 or 7F3. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the first antibody induces apoptosis in said cells. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 42  wherein the second antibody comprises CDRs of antibody 4D5. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the first antibody comprises CDRs of antibody 7C2 or 7F3 and the second antibody comprises CDRs of antibody 4D5. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the first and the second antibodies are chimeric, humanized or human. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the cancer is breast cancer. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein administration is performed intravenously as a bolus or by continuous infusion over a period of time, by intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intracerobrospinal, subcutaneous, intra-articular, intrasynovial, intrathecal, oral, topical, or inhalation routes. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50  wherein administration is performed intravenously.