Flt4 (vegfr-3) as a target for tumor imaging and anti-tumor therapy

Abstract

The present invention provide purified Flt4 receptor tyrosine kinase polypeptides and fragments thereof, polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, antibodies that specifically bind such polypeptides, and uses therefor.

1 - 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A kit comprising (a) an anti-Flt4 antibody or a polypeptide comprising an antigen binding fragment of said anti-Flt4 antibody and (b) a compound that binds a blood vascular endothelial marker antigen. 
     
     
         44 . The kit of  claim 43 , wherein the blood vascular endothelial marker antigen is selected from the group consisting of Tie, endogliln, von Willebrandt Factor, PAL-E, laminin, collagen XVIII, alpha-smooth muscle actin, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2. 
     
     
         45 . The kit of  claim 43 , wherein the compound that binds a blood vascular endothelial marker antigen is an antibody. 
     
     
         46 . The kit of  claim 43 , wherein the anti-Flt4 antibody is a human or humanized antibody. 
     
     
         47 . The kit of  claim 43 , wherein the anti-Flt4 antibody or a polypeptide comprising an antigen binding fragment of said anti-Flt4 antibody further comprises a detectable label. 
     
     
         48 . The kit of  claim 43 , wherein the a compound that binds a blood vascular endothelial marker antigen further comprises a detectable label. 
     
     
         49 . The kit of  claim 43 , wherein the anti-Flt4 antibody or a polypeptide comprising an antigen binding fragment of said anti-Flt4 antibody further comprises an anti-neoplastic agent conjugated thereto. 
     
     
         50 . The kit of  claim 43 , further comprising a secondary antibody that binds the anti-Flt4 antibody or a polypeptide comprising an antigen binding fragment of said anti-Flt4 antibody.