Use of gcc ligands

Abstract

Proliferation of colorectal, gastric and esophageal cancer cells is inhibited by administering ST receptor ligand. The number of ST receptor molecules on the surface of a colorectal cell or metastasized colorectal cancer cell are increased by administering an ST receptor ligand such that ligand comes into contact with an ST receptor on the surface of the colorectal cell. Pharmaceutical compositions comprise sterile, pyrogen free ST receptor ligand and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Metastasized colorectal cancer is treated or imaged by increasing the number of ST receptor molecules on the surface of a metastasized colorectal cancer cell and then administering a pharmaceutical composition containing components that target the ST receptor for delivery of a therapeutic agent or imaging agent. Methods of detecting metastasized colorectal cancer are disclosed. Methods of delivering active compounds to a colorectal cell in an individual are disclosed.

1 - 131 . (canceled) 
     
     
         132 . A method of treating an individual who has metastasized colorectal cancer or primary or metastasized gastric or esophageal cancer in an individual who has been identified as having metastasized colorectal cancer or primary or metastasized gastric or esophageal cancer, said method comprising the steps in the following order:
 a) administering to said individual an amount of an guanylyl cyclase C ligand that activates guanylyl cyclase C on cancer cells effective to increase the number of guanylyl cyclase C molecules on the surface of cancer cells, and   b) subsequently administering a therapeutically effective amount of a guanylyl cyclase C ligand that is conjugated to a cytotoxic moiety.   
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 132  wherein the individual has been identified as having metastatic colorectal, esophageal or stomach cancer. 
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 132  wherein said guanylyl cyclase C ligand that is conjugated to a cytotoxic moiety is an anti-guanylyl cyclase C antibody conjugated to a cytotoxic moiety or an anti-guanylyl cyclase C binding fragment of an anti-guanylyl cyclase C antibody conjugated to a cytotoxic moiety. 
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 132  wherein said guanylyl cyclase C ligand that is conjugated to a cytotoxic moiety is an anti-guanylyl cyclase C antibody conjugated to a cytotoxic moiety. 
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 132  wherein the guanylyl cyclase C ligand that activates guanylyl cyclase C on cancer cells is administered in an amount effective to increase the number of guanylyl cyclase C molecules on the surface of cancer cells for at least 6 hours. 
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 132  wherein the guanylyl cyclase C ligand that activates guanylyl cyclase C on cancer cells is administered in an amount effective to increase the number of guanylyl cyclase C molecules on the surface of cancer cells for at least 8 hours. 
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 132  wherein the guanylyl cyclase C ligand that activates guanylyl cyclase C on cancer cells is administered in an amount effective to increase the number of guanylyl cyclase C molecules on the surface of cancer cells for at least 12 hours. 
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 132  wherein the guanylyl cyclase C ligand that activates guanylyl cyclase C on cancer cells is administered in an amount effective to increase the number of guanylyl cyclase C molecules on the surface of cancer cells for at least 16 hours. 
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 132  wherein the guanylyl cyclase C ligand that activates guanylyl cyclase C on cancer cells is administered in an amount effective to increase the number of guanylyl cyclase C molecules on the surface of cancer cells for at least 20 hours. 
     
     
         141 . The method of  claim 132  wherein the guanylyl cyclase C ligand that activates guanylyl cyclase C on cancer cells is administered in an amount effective to increase the number of guanylyl cyclase C molecules on the surface of cancer cells for at least 24 hours. 
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 132  wherein said guanylyl cyclase C ligand that activates guanylyl cyclase C on cancer cells is administered intravenously.