Inhibitors of the atb(0,+) transporter and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention includes inhibitors of the amino acid transporter ATB 0,+ and methods of uses thereof.

1 . A composition comprising alpha methyl tryptophan and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the alpha methyl tryptophan consists of the L isomer and does not comprise the D isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan. 
     
     
         2 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating cancer in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject in need thereof a composition comprising an antibody that specifically binds to the ATB 0,+  amino acid transporter, wherein the cancer expresses the ATB 0,+  amino acid transporter. 
     
     
         21 . A method of killing a cancer cell, the method comprising contacting the cancer cell with an antibody that specifically binds to the ATB 0,+  amino acid transporter; wherein the cancer cells demonstrate increased expression of the ATB 0,+  amino acid transporter compared to normal, noncancerous cells. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the cancer is metastatic. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of colon cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the cancer is metastatic. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the composition is formulated for parenteral delivery. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the administration of one or more additional therapeutic agents. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the antibody inhibits binding of a substrate to the ATB 0,+  amino acid transporter. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the antibody specifically binds to the C-terminal of the ATB 0,+  amino acid transporter. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the antibody specifically binds to the N-terminal of the ATB 0,+  amino acid transporter. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the antibody comprises a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the antibody comprises an intact antibody, an antigen binding fragment, or a chimeric antibody. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the antibody comprises a humanized antibody. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the antibody comprises a human antibody. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the antibody is linked to a detectable marker or a therapeutic moiety.