Inhibitors of extracellular hsp90

Abstract

The present invention describes inhibitors of extracellular Hsp90. The inhibition of extracellular Hsp90 leads to a reduction of the invasiveness of the tumor cells. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of molecules inhibiting extracellular Hsp90 function for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of invasion and/or metastatic potential of cancer cells.

1 . A method of treating cancer or metastasis in a human subject, wherein the cancer or metastasis expresses extracellular Hsp90, the method comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or antibody fragment which binds to, and inhibits human extracellular Hsp90, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is unable to enter a cell. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is labelled with a detectable label. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is recombinantly produced antibody or antibody fragment. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a humanized antibody or antibody fragment. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a human antibody or antibody fragment. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the human antibody or antibody fragment is a human monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer or metastasis is selected from the group consisting of; breast adenocarcinoma, melanoma, fibrosarcoma. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is also treated with chemotherapy. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer or metastasis expressing extracellular Hsp90 is identified to express human extracellular Hsp90 by analysis of a biopsy sample taken from the subject. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is an anti-Hsp90α antibody or antibody fragment. 
     
     
         13 . A kit comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or antibody fragment which binds to, and inhibits human extracellular Hsp90, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a suitable container. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a human antibody or antibody fragment or a humanized antibody or antibody fragment. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the antibody or antibody fragment is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the human antibody or antibody fragment is a human monoclonal antibody.