Uses of il-23 agonists and antagonists; related reagents

Abstract

Provided are methods of treatment for tumors. In particular, methods are provided for modulating activity of a cytokine molecule and its receptor.

1 . A method of modulating tumor growth comprising contacting a tumor cell with an effective amount of an agonist or antagonist of IL-23. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antagonist of IL-23 inhibits or prevents tumor growth. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tumor cell expresses IL-23. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agonist or antagonist of IL-23 comprises a binding composition that specifically binds a polypeptide or nucleic acid of:
 a) p19 (SEQ ID NOs:1, 2, 3, or 4); or   b) IL-23R (SEQ ID NOs:5 or 6).   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the binding composition comprises:
 a) an antigen-binding site of an antibody;   b) an extracellular region of IL-23R (SEQ ID NOs:5 or 6);   c) a small molecule;   d) an anti-sense nucleic acid or small interference RNA (siRNA); or   e) a detectable label.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the binding composition comprises:
 a) a polyclonal antibody;   b) a monoclonal antibody;   c) a humanized antibody, or a fragment thereof;   d) an Fab, Fv, or F(ab′) 2  fragment; or   e) a peptide mimetic of an antibody.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tumor cell is:
 a) a colon cancer cell;   b) an ovarian cancer cell;   c) a breast cancer cell; or   d) a melanoma cell.   
     
     
         8 . A method of treating a subject suffering from a cancer or tumor comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an agonist or antagonist of IL-23. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the antagonist of IL-23 inhibits:
 a) growth of the cancer or tumor;   b) cachexia;   c) anorexia; or   d) angiogenesis.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the antagonist of IL-23 comprises a binding composition that specifically binds a polypeptide or nucleic acid of:
 a) p19 (SEQ ID NOs:1, 2, 3, or 4); or   b) IL-23R (SEQ ID NOs:5 or 6).   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the binding composition comprises:
 a) an antigen-binding site of an antibody;   b) an extracellular region of IL-23R (SEQ ID NOs:5 or 6);   c) an anti-sense nucleic acid or small interference RNA (siRNA);   d) a small molecule; or   e) a detectable label.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the binding composition comprises:
 a) a polyclonal antibody;   b) a monoclonal antibody;   c) a humanized antibody, or a fragment thereof;   d) an Fab, Fv, or F(ab′) 2  fragment; or   e) a peptide mimetic of an antibody.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cancer or tumor is of the:
 a) gastrointestinal tract;   b) respiratory tract;   c) reproductive system; or   d) endocrine system.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cancer or tumor is:
 a) colon cancer;   b) ovarian cancer;   c) a melanoma; or   d) breast cancer.   
     
     
         15 . A method of diagnosis of a cancer or tumor comprising contacting a sample from a subject with the binding composition of the method of  claim 10 . 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the binding composition comprises a nucleic acid probe or primer that specifically binds or hybridizes to the polynucleotide of SEQ ID NOs:1, 2, or 5. 
     
     
         17 . A kit for the diagnosis of a cancer or tumor comprising the binding composition of the method of  claim 10  and:
 a) a compartment; or 
 b) instructions for use or disposal. 
 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the binding composition comprises an antibody that specifically binds to:
 a) p19 (SEQ ID NOs:1, 2, 3, or 4); or   b) IL-23R (SEQ ID NOs:5 or 6).