Anti-tgf-beta induction of bone cell function and bone growth

Abstract

The invention regards the modulation of TGF-β activity by administering to a subject an antibody that binds to TGF-β, thereby increasing bone growth, bone formation, bone mass and bone strength. The antibody acts to increase osteoblast number and function while at the same time decreasing osteoclast number and function. Such drugs are useful in the treatment of diseases or disorders such as osteoporosis, Paget's disease, metastatic bone cancer, myeloma bone disease, bone fractures, etc.

1 . A method of increasing bone strength, bone mass, bone growth and/or volume in a subject comprising:
 administering to said subject an antibody that binds immunologically the TGF-β.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody binds all three isoforms of TGF-β. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is designated as 1D11. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is administered to said subject systemically. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said antibody is administered intravenously, intra-peritoneally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously or topically. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is administered to a bone target site. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said antibody is injected at said site. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said antibody is comprised in a time-release device implanted at said site. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject is a human. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject is a non-human animal. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said non-human animal is a mouse, a rat, a rabbit, a dog, a cat, a horse, a monkey or a cow. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject has cancer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject does not have cancer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising at least a second administration of said antibody. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said subject receive three administrations per week. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said subject receives at least 9 administrations. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising assessing bone mass following administration of said antibody. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein assessing comprises bone imaging. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject suffers from osteoporosis, bone fracture, bone loss due to trauma, or Paget's Disease. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject suffers from bone loss due to cancer metastasis. 
     
     
         21 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising identifying a patient in need of increased bone mass and/or volume. 
     
     
         31 . A method of increasing osteoblast number and/or decreasing osteoclast number in a subject comprising administering to said subject an antibody that binds immunologically the TGF-β. 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A method of decreasing TGF-β signaling in a subject comprising administering to said subject an antibody that binds immunologically the TGF-β.