Vascularization Inhibitors

Abstract

This invention provides a therapeutic agent for inhibiting neovascularization, a therapeutic agent for a solid cancer, a therapeutic agent for a disease pathologically caused by neovascularization, and a therapeutic agent for repairing a tissue comprising as the effective ingredient, a substance that potentiates the action of CXCR4. Based on the finding that vascularization is suppressed in CXCR4 knockout mice, it becomes possible to prepare a therapeutic agent for suppressing vascularization, a therapeutic agent for a solid cancer, a therapeutic agent for a disease pathologically caused by neovascularization, each of which comprises as the effective ingredient, a substance that inhibits the action of CXCR4, as well as to prepare a therapeutic agent for repairing a tissue comprising as the effective ingredient, a substance that potentiates the action of CXCR4. Methods for treatment are made possible that use these therapeutic agents.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method for screening a substance that inhibits vascularization, treats a solid cancer or treats a disease pathologically caused by neovascularization, based on the inhibition of the action due to CXCR4, which comprises a step of identifying a substance that inhibits the action due to CXCR4 as a substance that inhibits vascularization, treats a solid cancer or treats a disease pathologically caused by neovascularization. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , which comprises a step of identifying a substance that inhibits (1) the binding between SDF-1 and CXCR4, (2) the signaling from CXCR4 to nuclei, (3) the expression of CXCR4, or (4) the expression of SDF-1 as a substance that inhibits vascularization, treats a solid cancer or treats a disease pathologically caused by neovascularization. 
     
     
         30 . A method for evaluating vascularization inhibitory activity, anti-solid tumor activity or anti-disease pathologically caused by neovascularization activity of a substance, based on the inhibition of the action due to CXCR4, which comprises a step of measuring the inhibitory activity of the action due to CXCR4. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 30 , which comprises a step of measuring the inhibitory activity of (1) the binding between SDF-1 and CXCR4, (2) the signaling from CXCR4 to nuclei, (3) the expression of CXCR4, or (4) the expression of SDF-1.