Antibodies that bind to psca proteins for diagnosis of cancer

Abstract

Antibodies and molecules derived therefrom that bind to novel PSCA protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein PSCA exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, PSCA provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The PSCA gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with PSCA can be used in active or passive immunization.

1 . A monoclonal antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof comprising an antigen binding site that binds specifically to a PSCA protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, and wherein the monoclonal antibody comprises the amino acid sequence of the V H  region of SEQ ID NO: 35 and the V L  region of SEQ ID NO: 37.