Expression Vectors and Cell Lines Expressing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D, and Method of Treating Melanomas

Abstract

This invention relates to expression vectors comprising VEGF-D and its biologically active derivatives, cell lines stably expressing VEGF-D and its biologically active derivatives, and to a method of making a polypeptide using these expression vectors and host cells. The invention also relates to a method for treating and alleviating melanomas or tumors expressing VEGF-D and various diseases.

1 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A method of determining metastatic risk in a subject comprising contacting a tumor sample with an antibody that specifically binds to VEGF-D and determining metastatic risk by detecting binding of the antibody to the VEGF-D, wherein the level of VEGF-D in the sample correlates with metastatic risk. 
     
     
         48 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         49 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the antibody said antibody includes a detectable label. 
     
     
         50 . The method of claim  1 , wherein the VEGF-D comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 11. 
     
     
         51 . There method of claim  1 , wherein the tumor sample is malignant melanoma sample.